NRLF 


GIFT  OF 

Bancroft 
LIBRARY 


THE 


YANKEE  SLAVE-DEALER; 


OR, 


A  TALE  FOR  THE  TIMES. 

BY 

A   TEXAK 


"Prove  all  things ;  hold  fast  that  which  is  good.' 


NASHVILLE,    TENN.: 
PUBLISHED   FOR   THE   AUTHOR. 

1860. 


SIFT  or 

Bancroft 
LIBRARY 


STEREOTYPED   AND  PRINTED  BY  A.  A.   STITT, 
SOUTHERN  METHODIST  PUBLISHING  HOUSE,   NASHVILLE,   TENN. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

PREFACE v 

CHAPTER  I.  The  Abolitionist  avows  his  Principles 7 

CHAPTER  II.  Principles  Developed 19 

CHAPTER  III.  Rencounter  and  Rebuff 36 

CHAPTER  IV.  Suspicions  Aroused 49 

CHAPTER  V.  Detected  and  Exposed 56 

CHAPTER  VI.  The  Compact 74 

CHAPTER  VII.  Escape  from  Freedom 85 

CHAPTER  VIII.  The  Chase 102 

CHAPTER  IX.  Strange  Occurrences 115 

CHAPTER  X.  Diamond  cut  Diamond 126 

CHAPTER  XL  An  unexpected  Meeting 134 

CHAPTER  XII.  Profitable  Employment 149 

CHAPTER  XIII.  Too  Conservative 155 

CHAPTER  XIV.  The  Wedding 161 

CHAPTER  XV.  A  Disclosure 179 

CHAPTER  XVI.  The  Visit 190 

CHAPTER  XVII    The  Discovery 204 

CHAPTER  XVIII.  A  Crisis 218 

CHAPTER  XIX.  A  Review— A  New  Field 234 

CHAPTER  XX.  The  Liberators 244 

CHAPTER  XXL  The  Newly-made  Freeman 268 

CHAPTER  XXII.  An  Episode 280 

CHAPTER  XXIII.  Cindy 293 

CHAPTER  XXIV.  Blasted  Hopes 304 

CHAPTER  XXV.  Justus  a  Slaveholder 319 

CHAPTER  XXVI.  The  Discussion 328 

CHAPTER  XXVII.  Justus's  Story 339 

CHAPTER  XXVIII.  Conclusion 354 

(iii) 

361339 


PREFACE. 


THE  following  story  was  suggested  by  reading  a 
popular  work  of  fiction,  abusive  of  Southern  slav- 
ery, and  the  more  recent  and  bitter  attacks  of  the 
system  on  the  part  of  a  blind  partisan  and  fanatical 
press.  Though  the  subject  has  been  ably  defended 
by  others,  it  occurred  to  the  author  that  something 
on  the  plan  here  offered  might  present  a  phase  of 
the  question  perhaps  before  unnoticed,  and,  while 
not  devoid  of  interest,  still  prove  an  auxiliary  in  the 
propagation  and  defence  of  correct  principles. 

In  conformity  with  the  plan  prescribed,  nothing 
has  been  said  as  to  the  right  of  slavery,  socially  or 
politically,  and  but  little  morally — the  author  con- 
tenting himself  by  introducing  into  a  story  designed 
mainly  to  entertain,  a  few  points  bearing  on  the 
general  question. 

Should  it  be  thought  that  too  liberal  an  expres- 
sion of  views  has  been  allowed  the  abolitionist,  a 

(v) 


VI  PREFACE. 

perfect  confidence  in  the  truth  of  the  position  de- 
fended must  be  considered  a  good  excuse — the 
author  wishing,  in  all  fairness,  to  place  the  chief 
character  of  the  tale  in  such  a  position  as  an  honest 
abolitionist  might  be  supposed  to  occupy. 

Whatever  merit  the  work  may  possess,  is  its  sole 
dependence  for  popular  acceptance :  from  critics 
of  a  certain  class  the  author  neither  asks  nor  ex- 
pects favor;  but  to  the  candid  he  commits  the 
result  of  his  labors,  hoping  his  well-meant  efforts, 
though  not  entirely  faultless,  may  yet  accomplish 
something  in  the  mission  on  which  it  is  now  sent. 

TEXAS,  May  21,  1860. 


THE 


YANKEE   SLAVE-DEALER 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  ABOLITIONIST   AVOWS   HIS   PRINCIPLES. 

"  I  am  a  man, 
And  all  calamities  that  touch  humanity,  come  home  to  me." 

" '  SLAVES  cannot  breathe  in  England :  if  their 
lungs  receive  our  air,  that  moment  they  are  free/ 
Noble,  glorious,  happy  country !  Most  happy 
people  !  <  Slaves  cannot  breathe !'  <  That  is  noble, 
and  speaks  a  nation  proud !'  0 !  my  country, 
wanting  but  this  to  render  thee  the  most  favored, 
the  happiest  land  on  this  fair  globe  !  would  I  could 
thus  speak  thy  praise !  But  no — alas  that  such 
should  be  the  case  ! — the  curse  of  slavery  stains  thy 
bright  escutcheon,  and  must  inevitably  prove  thy 
ruin ! 

"  Yet,  O  that  thou  wouldst  see  thy  peril,  and,  by 
purging  'thyself  from  this  black  crime,  avoid  the 

coming  evil !     For  surely  the  vengeance  of  Heaven 

(7) 


8  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

will  sooner  or  later  fiercely  fall  on  a  people  that 
dares  thus  violate  the  sacred  principles  of  justice  ! 

"  0 !  my  poor,  injured,  down-trodden  fellow- 
be.im^  would,  $l}at  J  jcould  alleviate  your  woes,  or 
lignieH?*your*3ufifer!ng.S  !  For  though  it  has  pleased 
y«p|i¥;3Vf|^i:^4n  M/«. wisdom,  to  create  you  with 
4  skins'  not  colore'd  like  theirs,' you  still  have  souls 
as  pure,  and  hearts  as  true,  as  those  of  your  des- 
potic, inhuman  oppressors,  and  as  much  deserve 
the  blessings  of  freedom." 

This  grandiloquent  tirade  was  uttered  by  a  fiery 
young  abolitionist,  Mr.  Carolus  Justus,  a  passen- 
ger on  board  a  New  Orleans -bound  steamer,  who 
sought  by  this  means  to  relieve  his  surcharged  feel- 
ings on  the  subject  of  Southern  slavery;  perform- 
ing, the  meanwhile,  sundry  corresponding  flour- 
ishes with  the  newspaper  which,  up  to  the  time  of 
the  explosion,  had  evidently  engaged  his  whole 
attention. 

The  immediate  cause  of  this  unusual  and  unex- 
pected rhapsody,  was  cause  of  no  little  wonder  to 
his  sole  auditor,  a  young  Southerner,  of  whose 
presence  even  Justus,  in  his  philanthropic  absorp- 
tion, seemed  to  be  utterly  unconscious,  or  entirely 
forgetful.  The  stranger,  it  is  true,  had  been  in- 
formed that  this  fellow-passenger  had  but  recently 
returned  from  a  visit  to  England;  but,  from  the 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  9 

earnestness  with  which  he  perused  the  paper  before 
him,  could  not  suppose  his  mind  was  running  on 
what  he  had  there  seen  and  heard.  It  had,  however, 
been  hinted  that  the  gentleman  was  an  abolitionist, 
and  this  speech,  so  indubitably  confirming  the  sus- 
picion, led  him  to  conclude  that  his  paper  had  fur- 
nished the  humane  man  a  well-served  dish  of  the 
peculiar  atrocity  of  some  "  brutal  slaveholder." 

Desirous  of  something  to  break  the  tedium  of  the 
voyage,  and  feeling,  withal,  rather  humorously  in- 
clined, he  resolved,  let  the  cause  be  what  it  might, 
to  improve  this  opportunity,  the  first  yet  offered,  to 
draw  out  his  companion  on  his  favorite  theme. 
He  accordingly  remarked: 

"  Perhaps,  my  dear  sir,  were  you  to  become  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  structure  of  society, 
both  in  that  England  of  which  you  boast,  and 
among  our  Southern  planters,  you  might  undergo  a 
change  of  mind.  Your  examination  of  this  matter 
has,  no  doubt,  be^n  altogether  ex  parte;  you  would 
do  well  to  turn  your  attention  to  the  other  side. 
You  abolitionists  do  not " 

At  this  point,  Justus,  who,  with  dilated  optics, 
had  been  gazing  at  his  interlocutor,  could  contain 
himself  no  longer. 

"Other  side,  indeed!"  he  interrupted.  "Why, 
sir,  there  is  but  one  side  to  this  subject.  Slavery  is 


10  THE    YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

an  evil,  an  unmitigated  evil,  and  a  gross  wrong — 
an  utter  violation  of  every  right  of  man ;  and,  you 
may  depend  upon  it,  this  iniquity,  though  it  may 
prosper  for  a  time,  will  yet  be  visited  with  merited 
punishment.  Only  think,  sir,  that  you  are  engaged 
in  the  unholy  work  of  buying  and  selling  human 
beings!  And  to  talk  of  '•one  side  of  the  question !' 
Ah  !  buying  and  selling !  But  that  is  not  all,  nor 
the  worst;  but,  as  the  beautiful  author  before 
quoted  says,  to 

'  Exact  their  sweat 

With  stripes  that  Mercy,  with  a  bleeding  heart, 
Weeps  when  she  sees  inflicted  on  a  beast.' 

"0,  sir,  I  feel  on  this  subject,  and — you  may, 
perhaps,  sneer  at  it,  as  a  pusillanimous  weakness," 
at  the  same  time  brushing  away  a  tear — "I  never 
speak  of  it  without  having  the  fountain  of  my  feel- 
ings stirred  to  its  very  depth.  I  observed,  sir,  the 
contempt  denoted  by  your  manner  of  enunciating 
the  word  abolitionists;  but  this  does  not  affect  me. 
I  am  one :  I  glory  in  the  name.  'With  me,  it  is  a 
consuming  passion;  and  there  is  nothing  that  I 
would  not  undergo  for  the  sake  of  carrying  out  the 
grand  plan  we  have  devised  for  the  relief  of  the 
Negro.  Indeed,  my  sympathies  are  at  times  so  fully 
aroused  and  enlisted  in  their  behalf,  that  had  I  the 
power  at  those  moments,  I  should  most  assuredly 
cause  them  and  their  inhuman  masters  to  exchange 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  11 

conditions,  as  a  compensation,  on  each  hand,  for  the 
wrongs  suffered  and  inflicted.  I  have  heard  the  so- 
called  arguments  by  which  they  who  thus  sin  attempt 
to  sustain  themselves ;  but  it  is  all  pretence.  There 
is  not,  there  cannot  be,  any  sincerity  in  them.  It  is 
personal  interest  that  influences  them;  and  this 
alone,  without  any  regard  to  justice  or  right,  up- 
holds the  diabolical  system.  "Were  they  to  speak 
honestly,  they  would  say,  It  suits  us  to  have  it  so, 
regardless  of  the  wrong  connected  with  its  personal 
benefits." 

This  was  rather  more  than  the  Southerner  had 
either  expected  or  desired,  and  there  is  no  divining 
what  might  have  been  the  result,  had  he  not,  at  the 
outset,  prepared  himself  to  listen  to  discourteous 
remarks.  As  it  was,  however,  he  found  himself 
unable  to  smother  down  his  ire  during  the  utterance 
of  the  last  few  sentences.  He  had  risen  to  his  feet 
in  no  amiable  mood ;  but  a  second  thought  enabled 
him  so  far  to  subdue  his  wrath  as  to  prevent  any 
outburst  of  passion,  remembering  the  cause  of  his 
engaging  in  the  discussion,  which  was  simply  a  spirit 
of  mirthfulness,  being  at  the  same  time  aware  of 
the  entire  unreasonableness  of  the  class  to  which 
the  gentleman  belonged.  He  replied,  with  great 
apparent  indifference, 

"  Conventional  civility,  or  a  decent  regard  for  the 


12  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

sensibilities  of  others,  should  restrain  you  from  the 
use  of  such  insulting  language,  especially  where  the 
application  is  so  readily  made  as  in  the  present  in- 
stance. Let  it  pass,  however,  for  the  present,  in 
consideration  of  the  source  whence  it  emanated." 
Then,  assuming  a  tone  of  pleasantry :  "  But  that 
would  be  a  novel  way  of  alleviating  trouble,  to  sim- 
ply transfer  the  misery  from  one  to  another ;  though 
I  suppose  you  would  have  the  satisfaction  of  know- 
ing you  had  given  the  supremacy  to  the  more 
worthy  race,  contrasting  yourself  and  friends,  per- 
haps, (for  I  presume  you  have  had  no  acquaintance 
with  any  other  class  of  white  men,)  with  the  noble 
race  of  free  negroes  at  the  North,  in  making  your 
estimate.  However,  you  need  not  give  yourself 
much  uneasiness  on  the  subject,  as  we  do  not  intend 
you  shall  have  the  power,  for  many  days  yet  to  come. 
But,  if  it  is  not  assuming  an  unwarrantable  degree 
of  familiarity,  will  you  suffer  me  to  inquire  whether 
or  not  I  have  been  correctly  informed,  that  the  ob- 
ject of  your  present  voyage  is  a  temporary  residence 
in  a  portion  of  that  devoted  land,  the  South?  I 
mean  in  Texas,  my  adopted  home." 

"Yes,  sir;  .that  is  my  purpose;  though,  if  in- 
fluenced by  any  other  motive  than  that  actuating 
me,  I  should  feel  ashamed  to  avow  such  a  design." 

"Doubtless  !"  answered  the  other.     "But  do  you 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K.  13 

not  know  you  are  exposing  yourself  to  the  influence 
of  the  general  curse  hanging  over  that  land  of  ini- 
quity, and  that  you  are  yourself  liable  to  suffer  with 
the  rest  in  her  doom  ?" 

"I  must  acknowledge,"  replied  Justus,  "that  it 
has  some  appearance  of  temerity,  thus  to  venture ; 
yet  I  have  not  undertaken  it  rashly  or  without  due 
consideration.  I  am  influenced  by  powerful  mo- 
tives, and  though  I  will  be  among  the  guilty,  I  will 
not  be  of-  them.  The  leading  cause  of  this  proce- 
dure is,  I  am  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  a  work 
on  the  horrors  of  slavery,  and  wish  to  observe  the 
working  of  the  despotic  system  at  the  fountain-head, 
or,  at  least,  where  it  holds  full  sway." 

"  "Well  thought  of,  too ;  and  if  those  of  your 
school  had  always  adopted  the  same  plan,  there 
would  have  been  less  ill-feeling  on  this  subject,  and 
less  unfair  dealing  on  your  part.  But  let  me  now, 
for  your  own  sake,  inform  you,  or  rather  suggest, 
that,  if  you  are  not  very  discreet,  your  plan  may  lead 
you  into  trouble. 

"  To  avoid  this,  it  would  be  well  for  you  not  to 
have  too  many  confidants  in  your  movements,  to 
depend  on  your  ears  and  eyes,  and  to  talk  or  ques- 
tion sparingly.  But  I  will  propose  a  problem  for 
your  solution  :  How  long  a  sojourn  in  Texas,  think 
you,  will  it  require  to  subvert  your  present  princi- 


14  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

pies,  and  to  place  you  in  connection  with  the  nefa- 
rious business  you  seek  to  expose  ?" 

It  would  be  a  fruitless  task  to  attempt  to  convey 
an  adequate  idea  of  the  emotions  of  the  other,  in- 
duced by  this  interrogatory ;  but,  restraining  his  in- 
dignation, with  an  air  of  offended  dignity  he  hastily 
answered : 

"If  it  be  not  your  deliberate  intention  to  insult 
me,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive  your  meaning ;  for  I 
cannot  imagine  that  to  be  a  sober  question,  in  real- 
ity arising  in  your  mind ;  to  harbor  the  mere  thought 
would  be  to  impeach  the  soundness  of  your  judg- 
ment." 

"0,"  replied  the  other,  "you  may  enjoy  all  the 
benefit  of  the  belief  in  my  insanity.  I  proposed  the 
question  seriously,  and  I  would  at  no  time  be  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  you  had  become  a  real  slave- 
holder, as  monstrous  a  matter  as  you  now  seem  to 
imagine  it.  And  more :  As  I  deal  in  the  article  at 
times,  I  hope  to  supply  you  a  few.  One  caution, 
however.  When  you  do  make  up  your  mind  to 
join  the  inhuman  crew,  do  not  entirely  lay  aside 
your  humanity,  but  let  your  present  zeal  for  the  poor 
negro  measurably  burn  in  you  then,  and  do  not  for- 
get that,  though  your  property,  he  is  still  your 
brother,  or,  at  least,  a  human  being." 

This  was  spoken  in  a  half  serious,  half  jesting 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  15 

manner,  with  a  meaning  smile,  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble to  repress.  During  its  utterance,  Justus  had  re- 
treated to  the  opposite  side  of  the  cabin,  gazing  on 
the  speaker  with  an  expression  of  manifest  abhor- 
rence. After  a  prolonged  look  of  utter  disgust,  he 
thus  relieved  himself : 

U0  shame,  where  is  thy  blush?  Is  it  possible 
such  language  should  be  addressed  to  me !  That  I 
should  be  expected  to  own  slaves !  J",  who,  on  ac- 
count of  my  uncompromising  love  of  the  helpless 
and  oppressed,  and  my  exertions  in  their  behalf, 
have  been  designated  '  The  Slave's  Friend !'  /  join 
the  inhuman  crew ! — well  named,  too.  No  ! 

'  I  would  not  have  a  slave  to  till  my  ground, 

To  carry  me,  and  fan  me  while  I  sleep,  and  tremble  when  I  wake, 
For  all  the  wealth  that  sinews  bought  and  sold  have  ever  gained.' 

To  what  cause  I  am  to  impute  your  unwarrantable 
and  unprovoked  outrage,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  deter- 
mine, unless  it  be  that  your  connection  with  the  im- 
pious crew  has  blunted  your  perceptions  of  the  de- 
mands of  courtesy  in  your  intercourse  with  others. 
But  I  will  not  expose  myself  to  a  repetition  of  the 
same  treatment  by  further  conference  with  you." 

"  Very  fine,  indeed,  thus  to  talk  about  courtesy  ! 
Of  course  it  is  very  courteous  to  apply  the  terms 
lying  and  hypocrisy  to  others ;  but  you  must  be  han- 
dled very  delicately,  or  you  are  grievously  outraged. 


16  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Be  assured,  however,  that  nothing  but  a  knowledge 
of  the  ignorance  which  influences  you  has  enabled 
me  to  bear  your  language ;  considering  it  idle  to 
take  offence  at  the  ravings  of  a  monomaniac,  in 
which  light — if  the  information  will  in  any  wise 
enhance  your  own  good  opinion  of  yourself — I  cer- 
tainly view  you.  Yet,"  assuming  his  former  man- 
ner of  pleasantry,  "  recollect  I  still  have  a  few  choice 
hands  in  reserve  for  you." 

A  look  of  mingled  rage,  pity,  and  contempt  was 
Justus's  only  reply,  as  he  abruptly  left  the  cabin ; 
and  the  short-lived  acquaintance,  begun  under  au- 
spices so  unfavorable,  as  suddenly  terminated.  Our 
hero  has,  in  the  foregoing  scene,  given  pretty  much 
all  the  information  in  regard  to  himself  that  we  deem 
necessary,  at  present,  to  lay  before  the  reader.  A 
native  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  it  is,  perhaps,  al- 
most superfluous  to  add  that  his  mind  was  fully 
imbued  with  the  principles  of  abolitionism,  reflec- 
tions on  the  "  concomitant  horrors"  and  inconceiv- 
ably evil  results  of  Southern  slavery  constituting 
no  inconsiderable  part  of  his  earthly  troubles  and 
perplexities.  Urged  on  by  such  thoughts,  and  in- 
cited, furthermore,  by  an  innate,  unbounded  love  of 
humanity — bronze  humanity  in  particular — he  had,  as 
already  made  known,  been  engaged  in  writing  a 
work  on  slavery,  which  he  had  little  doubt  would 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  17 

for  ever  settle  this  vexed  question,  and  cause  the 
horrible  evil,  so  faithfully  exposed,  to  hide  its  head 
in  shame,  without  even  an  inclination  again  to  vindi- 
cate itself.  And  often,  while  engaged  in  this  holy 
work,  had  his  great  heart  swollen  vehemently,  and 
beaten  tumultuously  against  its  ribbed  enclosure, 
sending  the  blood  more  hurriedly  along  its  chan- 
nels, and  his  laboring  fingers  writh  greater  energy 
athwart  the  fair  pages  destined  to  convey  his  burn- 
ing thoughts  to  posterity,  as  an  immortal  fame 
loomed  up  before  him  in  the  dim  future,  when  the 
glory  of  every  thing  hitherto  undertaken  in  this 
line  would  be  dimmed  in  the  superior  effulgence  of 
his  own  great  work. 

He  had  not  felt  himself  driven  to  the  South  for 
the  purpose  of  confirming  himself  in  the  faith,  and 
satisfying  his  own  mind  on  the  subject  of  abolition- 
ism :  there  was  not  a  shadow  of  a  doubt  with  him. 
Neither  did  he  feel  impelled  to  this  course  on  ac- 
count of  the  paucity  of  material  at  hand ;  nor  yet 
for  the  lack  o*f  means  by  which  to  operate  on  the 
sympathies  of  his  readers.  Yet,  while  amply  fur- 
nished with  all  these  things  at  home,  he  believed 
the  present  movement  would  open  up  extensive 
fields,  in  which  he  might  have  unlimited  discretion 
in  choosing  his  "  select  incidents." 

It  was  by  no  means  his  intention  to  practice  upon 


18  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

his  peculiar  articles  of  belief  in  regard  to  slaves  and 
their  owners,  but  merely  to  observe  and  study  the 
workings  of  the  system  of  slavery ;  and,  more  par- 
ticularly, to  form  a  choice  collection  of  those  atroci- 
ties which  his  education  had  taught  him  were  insepa- 
rably connected  with  Southern  slavery.  Established 
in  some  favorable  section  of  the  chosen  State,  dis- 
carding his  abolitionism  outwardly,  he  would  con- 
duct his  observations  as  opportunity  might  offer, 
expecting  a  few  months  of  toil  to  be  amply  repaid 
by  enabling  him  to  return  home  enriched  with  inval- 
uable notes,  sufficient  to  bring  his  work  to  a  speedy 
issue — observations  made  in  person — truths  none 
would  have  the  hardihood  to  call  in  question. 

To  end  all  preliminaries  in  this  place,  and  bring 
up  the  history  to  a  fair  starting-point,  we  will  pass 
over  the  occurrences  of  the  intervening  time,  and 
simply  state  that  the  trip  was  accomplished,  and 
Justus  installed  in  the  desired  post,  in  one  of  the 
new  counties  of  Texas. 


THE    YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E  -D  E  A  L  E  R.  19 


CHAPTER   II. 

PRINCIPLES     DEVELOPED. 

"A  chiel's  amang  you  takin'  notes, 
An'  faith  he  '11  prent  it." 

FOR  a  time  Justus  pursued  the  "  even  tenor  of 
his  way"  in  this  new  field  of  operations,  conducting 
his  observations  with  so  much  prudence,  in  con- 
formity with  his  projected  plan,  that  his  associates 
entertained  no  suspicion  of  his  purpose.  It  is 
true,  his  progress  in  collecting  material  for  the 
great  work  on  hand  was  not  so  rapid  as  he  had 
anticipated;  but  this  did  not  discourage  him. 
Fully  satisfied  as  to  the  daily  perpetration  of  those 
acts  of  barbarity  he  had  come  to  witness,  it  was 
only  a  question  of  time  when  they  should  fall  under 
his  own  observation.  He  had  arrived  at  a  strangely 
inauspicious  time;  or  if  indeed  the  place  of  his 
selection  was  an  exception  to  the  rest  of  the  South, 
he  had,  at  worst,  but  to  seek  a  more  favorable  situ- 
ation. 


20  THE     YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  R. 

But  while  casting  in  his  mind  the  propriety  of 
this  latter  measure,  an  event  occurred  which,  in  its 
results,  had  a  material  influence  on  his  subsequent 
actions.  Preparations  were  in  progress  for  a  camp- 
meeting  in  his  vicinity.  It  was  a  fixed  purpose 
with  him  to  neglect  no  opportunity  that  might  be 
improved  to  the  furtherance  of  his  great  design. 
Knowing  that  the  colored  portion  of  the  population 
would  be  largely  represented  on  that  occasion,  he 
hesitated  not  in  determining  to  be  in  attendance 
on  the  meeting,  feeling  a  strong  presentiment, 
no  doubt  greatly  influenced  by  his  wishes,  that 
the  time  for  important  revelations  was  near  at 
hand. 

But  here,  too,  he  was  disappointed.  The  meet- 
ing proved  to  be  a  dull  affair — that  is,  so  far  as  his 
business  was  concerned — and  he  was  not  long  in 
making  up  his  mind  that  "here  is  to  be  found 
nothing  to  suit  my  purpose." 

"  Can  it  be  possible,"  thought  he,  "  that  my  com- 
ing has  been  covertly  made  known,  and  thus  its 
effects  guarded  against  ?" 

What  he  had  already  seen  of  slavery  would  have 
fully  satisfied  himself,  had  not  the  perfecting  of  his 
book,  according  to  the  plan  laid  down,  so  engrossed 
his  mind.  He  had  been  a  witness  of  the  thing 
called  slavery;  had  seen,  as  he  expressed  it,  num- 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  21 

bers  of  human  beings  so  degraded  as  to  consider 
themselves  the  property  of  another.  Was  not  this 
sufficient  ?  But  it  was  not  for  this  he  had  placed 
himself  in  his  present  position ;  for,  while  in  Bos- 
ton, he  knew  there  was  such  a  state  and  such 
beings ;  and  he  knew  further,  or,  at  least,  fully  be- 
lieved, that  those  slaves,  besides  the  degradation  of 
being  such,  were  subjected  to  evils  untold,  and 
almost  unimaginable;  and  to  investigate  these 
cases  of  unparalleled  wretchedness  was  his  chief 
design  in  visiting  the  South.  It  was  natural,  then, 
that  he  should  be  perplexed  at  a  state  of  things  so 
different  from  that  expected. 

It  had  not,  indeed,  been  his  opinion  that  a  reli- 
gious meeting  would  furnish  the  proper  place  or 
circumstances  for  witnessing  those  cruelties  of 
which  he  had  read ;  but  he  fondly  hoped  it  would 
afford  a  very  favorable  opportunity  for  observing 
some  of  their  results.  And,  then,  how  much 
might  it  subserve  the  cause  of  humanity  to  picture 
an  assembly  of  those  wretched  beings !  But  the 
first  two  days  of  the  meeting  had  passed,  and  he 
had  found  nothing  answering  to  his  expectations. 
He  could  scarcely  realize  that  these  persons,  so 
gayly  dressed,  so  cheerful,  and  apparently  as  much 
interested  as  their  mistresses  in  the  affairs  of  the 
tents,  and  as  much  concerned  to  make  a  fair  show 


22  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

for  the  accommodation  of  visitors,  were  the  same 
whose  interests  he  had  so  much  at  heart. 

He  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  his  hopes  in 
regard  to  the  camp-meeting  were  illusory,  and  that 
other  means  must  be  resorted  to  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  his  cherished  purpose.  His  flagging 
zeal  was  revived  by  the  public  announcement,  at 
noon  on  Saturday,  that  there  would  be  "  preaching 
to  the  blacks,  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  ground  appro- 
priated for  this  purpose." 

To  most  persons,  perhaps,  who  read  these  pages 
it  will  be  unnecessary  to  state  the  reason  why  this 
effort  for  the  especial  advantage  of  the  negro  was 
deferred  until  this  particular  time,  namely,  that  the 
Saturday  afternoon  holiday  had  given  freedom  to 
the  servants  to  attend  generally;  whereas  there 
were  before  this  time  but  few  in  attendance. 

"Preaching  to  the  blacks  at  the  ground  appro- 
priated to  that  purpose !"  repeated  Justus — men- 
tally, however.  "Here  is  an  opportunity  that  must 
not  pass  unimproved;"  and  he  at  once  settled  it  in 
his  mind  to  be  one  of  the  listeners  to  that  sermon  ; 
at  the  same  time  soliloquizing,  in  utter  forgetful- 
ness — "An  anti-abolition  lecture;  nothing  more 
nor  less !"  But  observing  that  this  was  heard, 
(though,  as  it  happened,  too  indistinctly  to  catch 
the  import  of  the  words,)  and  that  the  eyes  of  more 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  23 

than  one  were  fixed  on  him,  he  very  prudently 
restrained  his  thoughts,  or  concluded  in  silence  the 
comments  he  might  have  to  make. 

The  thought  now  first  in  his  mind  was,  how  he 
should  proceed  in  his  design  of  hearing  the  sermon 
to  the  negroes.  So  far  as  any  views  of  propriety 
were  concerned,  he  would  not  have  hesitated  to  take 
his  place  among  the  sable  worshippers ;  but  important 
considerations  determined  him  to  preserve  as  great 
a  degree  of  secrecy  as  possible.  In  the  first  place, 
he  would  have  the  minister  entirely  at  his  ease,  and 
entertained  a  fear  that  he  might  be  led  to  mollify 
the  lecture  to  be  delivered,  were  he  aware  of  the 
presence  of  a  reporter,  by  whose  instrumentality 
his  discourse,  in  whole  or  in  part,  might  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  page  of  history.  And,  more  than  this, 
he  wished  to  have  no  suspicion  whatever  excited 
against  himself. 

It  only  remained  to  decide  how  he  might  dispose 
himself  so  as  to  hear,  and  yet  avoid  the  conse- 
quences to  be  feared  on  both  these  grounds ;  and, 
to  this  end,  a  reconnoissance  of  the  premises  was 
necessary.  With  no  little  gratification,  he  found 
the  situation  conducive  to  the  success  of  his  plan. 

The  camp-ground  was  located  on  a  small  creek, 
in  an  open  space  at  the  upper  extremity  of  a  consid- 
erable body  of  brushwood,  or  bottom-land,  in 


24  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

which,  and  at  the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  yards 
from  the  encampment,  was  the  preaching-place  for 
the  blacks.  This  had  been  prepared  by  clearing 
the  ground  of  undergrowth,  and  furnishing  it  with 
seats ;  these  consisted  of  split  logs,  with  each  ex- 
tremity resting  on  others,  unsplit,  lying  firmly  on 
the  ground  parallel  to  each  other.  On  the  opposite 
side  from  the  tents,  and  on  the  border  of  the  sur- 
rounding thicket,  was  the  stand  for  the  minister. 
The  interval  between  the  camp-ground  proper  and 
this  place  was  partially  cleared  of  brush,  so  as  to 
afford  convenient  passage  to  and  fro.  But  to  the 
back  of  the  colored  people's  meeting-place  a  dense 
undergrowth  of  brush  and  briers  still  remained ; 
and  but  a  few  feet  from  the  stand  a  large  fallen  tree 
offered  a  very  convenient  place  for  concealment. 
Here  he  selected  his  station,  and,  placed  in  such  a 
position  that,  with  a  slight  movement,  he  could 
bring  both  the  preacher  and  congregation  into  fair 
view,  with  little  or  no  danger  of  discovery  on  his 
part,  he  calmly  awaited  the  opening  of  the  services. 
Justus  felt  disposed  to  exult  over  the  opportunity 
about  to  be  afforded  of  exposing  a  preaching  to 
slaves  ;  but  the  introductory  services  had  a  decided 
tendency  to  diminish  this  pleasure;  so  much  so, 
that  he  even  felt  his  faith  shaken  in  the  correctness 
of  the  judgment  he  had  so  hastily  and  decidedly 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  25 

passed.  The  announcement  of  the  text  rendered 
the  case  almost  hopeless;  for  it  was  evident  that 
the  words  employed — "Behold,  I  stand  at  the 
door,"  etc. — furnished  a  very  unbecoming  founda- 
tion for  a  lecture  of  the  kind  he  had  anticipated. 
Still,  he  derived  a  faint  hope  from  the  "known 
ingenuity  of  these  slaveholders  in  distorting  things 
to  answer  their  own  purpose." 

It  is  not  our  province  to  say  any  thing  in  regard 
to  the  exercises,  further  than  this :  Justus  was 
entirely  disappointed  in  them  —  so  much  so,  that  at 
the  conclusion  he  had  but  few  "notes"  entered. 

However,  there  was  yet  one  resource  left,  and  to 
this,  though  .contrary  to  his  proposed  and  more 
prudent  plan,  he  determined  to  apply ;  for  he  was 
brought  to  the  point  of  desperation,  and  "  items" 
must  be  obtained.  Hitherto  he'  had  spent  his  time 
and  energies  to  no  purpose;  and  the  prospect  of 
succeeding  in  his  benevolent  undertaking,  unless 
he  could  devise  some  more  available  means,  was 
really  alarming. 

The  mode  of  procedure  now  suggested  was,  to 
select  from  the  congregation,  after  dispersion,  some 
one  whose  appearance  might  proclaim  him  suf- 
ficiently intelligent,  both  to  understand  what  might 
be  said,  and  to  return  sensible  replies,  and  en- 
deavor to  learn  from  him  the  manner  of  his  treat- 


26  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

merit,  as  well  as  his  views  of  the  system,  and  his 
feelings  under  "the  galling  bondage." 

He  would  be  very  guarded,  however,  not  forget- 
ting the  critical  position  in  which  a  rash  expression 
of  opinion  might  place  him,  and  would  be  careful 
to  say  nothing  that  could  give  offence  to  the  most 
easily  alarmed  owner  of  slaves ;  unmindful  of  the 
fact,  that  to  be  found  in  private  conference  with  a 
servant,  under  the  circumstances,  would,  of  itself, 
excite  suspicion. 

Cautiously  looking  from  behind  his  covert,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  the  selection,  he  observed  an  aged 
negro  approach  the  minister,  to  whom  he  seemed 
to  be  communicating  some  important  intelligence. 
Though  unable  to  hear  the  words,  he  perceived 
that  the  information,  of  whatever  nature  it  might 
be,  caused  the  preacher,  together  with  all  others  in 
hearing,  to  direct  his  eyes  toward  his  own  retreat. 

Though  fully  satisfied  of  the  propriety  of  his  con- 
duct, his  discovery  placed  him  in  a  very  humili- 
ating posture,  on  account  of  the  light  in  which  his 
behavior  would  be  viewed  by  those  around  him. 
His  first  impulse  was  to  advance  and  explain  the 
cause  of  his  suspicious  movements,  putting  on  the 
matter  the  best  face  possible;  but  fear  and  hope 
together  deterred  him — fear  that  his  explanation 
would  not  be  well  received ;  and  hope  that  he  was, 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  27 

after  all,  undiscovered,  and  consequently  not  sus- 
pected of  any  improper  act.  At  all  events,  he 
determined  to  abide  the  result,  and,  with  wonderful 
composure,  retained  his  position.  Yet  he  did  not 
trust  himself  to  look  toward  the  stand  for  some 
moments ;  but,  drawn  down  to  his  smallest  dimen- 
sions behind  his  breastwork,  with  eyes  fixed  on  the 
ground,  he  could  only  meditate  on  the  probable 
result  of  his  enterprise. 

When  he  did  again  venture  a  look,  the  prospect 
was  most  gratifying :  the  ground  was  entirely  de- 
serted, except  by  a  solitary,  venerable  negro,  appa- 
rently engaged  in  rearranging  the  seats.  "Without 
further  hesitation,  and  entirely  forgetful  of  his  late 
perplexities,  he  approached  this  occupant  of  the 
premises,  retaining  only  so  much  thought  of  pru- 
dence as  to  embarrass  his  mind  in  regard  to  the 
manner  of  opening  the  interview.  But  the  manoeu- 
vres of  Uncle  Moses,  as  he  drew  near,  entirely 
removed  his  embarrassment,  and  scattered  to  the 
winds  his  caution. 

Beholding  the  stranger,  the  negro  started  in  evi- 
dent alarm,  casting  his  eyes  around  as  though  he 
had  thoughts  of  a  race.  And,  indeed,  the  appear- 
ance of  the  white  man  at  the  place,  and  under  the 
circumstances,  might  well  excite  in  the  mind  of 
Uncle  Moses  suspicions  that  his  designs  were  not 


28  THE     YANKEE    S  L  AV  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

strictly  honest.  Seeing  this  movement  on  the  part 
of  the  slave,  and  also  observing  his  manifest  uneasi- 
ness, Justus  familiarly  accosted  him  with  the  cus- 
tomary salutation  of  the  day,  adding — "  Why,  my 
dear  sir,  you  seem  to  be  somewhat  alarmed;  but 
there  is  no  occasion  for  it,  I  assure  you :  I  am  not 
at  all  dangerous." 

"I  don'  'no  dat,  suh!  Duh 's  been  some  black 
folks  stoled  about  heah,  lately ;  and  once  or  twice 
dem  folks  dey  calls  abolitioners  has  been  roun', 
try  in'  to  puhsuade  'em  to  run  'way.  Now,  you  see, 
dis  's  de  black  people's  preachin'  groun',  and  as 
you 's  a  stranger,  I  don  'no  dat  you 's  got  any 
'ticlar  business  'mongst  us,  ef  you  aint  no  notion  of 
doin'  nuffin  wrong" 

Justus  was  ready  to  observe  the  sagacity  of  the 
slave,  as  displayed  in  his  reasoning,  so  logical  and 
conclusive,  though  constructed  rudely  and  without 
rule ;  but  he  paid  no  attention  to  the  reproof  con- 
tained in  his  remarks,  or,  indeed,  did  not  seem  to 
regard  it  as  such.  His  mind  was  employed  in  insti- 
tuting a  comparison  between  the  negro  and  some 
man  of  his  own  imagining,  his  master — noting  the 
superiority  of  the  former  over  the  latter,  and  reflect- 
ing on  the  probable  consequences  of  giving  way  to 
his  impulse  in  conversation  with  Uncle  Moses.  Re- 
solving on  a  prudent  course,  he  replied,  after  a 


THE    YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K.  29 

brief  silence :  "  "Why,  sir,  you  must  have  but  a  poor 
opinion  of  me,  to  imagine  either  that  I  would  come 
in  this  way  to  steal  you,  or  that  I  would  attempt  to 
display  abolitionism  here,  were  I  ever  so  much  dis- 
posed in  that  way." 

"  It  might  do,  mastah,  to  talk  to  some  in  dat  way ; 
but  I  happen  to  know  dem  kin'  o'  folks  's  mightily 
set  in  dur  own  notions ;  for  one  tried  to  git  me  to 
go  'way  wid  him  once,  from  dis  very  camp- 
ground." 

Justus  was  fast  losing  the  cautious  reserve  he  had 
imposed  upon  himself,  owing  partly,  no  doubt,  to 
the  long-continued  disappointment  he  had  expe- 
rienced ;  and  he  now  felt  himself  unable  to  act  the 
part  he  had  resolved  on  during  this  interview.  He 
had  sought  a  meeting  with  the  negro  for  the  fur- 
therance of  an  end  dearer  to  him  than  personal 
ease;  and  there  was  no  probability  of  attaining 
that  object,  unless  he  should,  in  a  measure,  reveal 
his  true  character ;  and  this,  a  fresh  attack  of  enthu- 
siasm inclined  him  to  do ;  simply  designing  to 
learn  the  views  of  the  other  in  regard  to  the 
condition  of  servitude  in  which  he  was  held,  and 
his  treatment  in  that  state.  He  again  addressed 
Uncle  Moses : 

"  Well,  sir " 

"  Don't  talk  so  to  me,  mastah;  my  name 's  Moses. 


30  THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

Ef  Mas'  Jeems  'as  to  heah  you  talk  dat  way,  he  'd 
t'ink  you  abolitioner,  shoah  miff,  or  dat  you  was  n't 
smart,  one." 

""Well,  Moses,  then!  Do  you  not  think  you 
would  be  far  happier  to-day  if  you  had  yielded  to 
his  entreaty,  and  gone  with  him  to  freedom  ?" 

"!N"o,  suh !  I  don't  nigh  b'leve  so.  I's  a  heap 
bettah  oif  heah,  dan  ef  I  'as  to  go  Norf." 

"  You  do  not  look  at  the  matter  rightly,  my  dear 
— Moses." 

The  negro  winced  during  the  slight  pause  that 
occurred;  but  as  his  own  name  ended  it,  he  re- 
gained his  composure,  as  Justus  continued : 

"You  are  a  slave  now,  Moses,  belonging  to 
another ;  you  have  no  will  of  your  own,  but  must 
submit  entirely  to  him,  and  be  whipped  like  a 
brute  at  his  pleasure." 

"No,  suh;  not  dat  'zac'ly,  nuther.  Mas'  Jeems 
neber  strike  me  yet,  an'  he  lets  me  do 's  I  please  in 
a  heap  o'  things ;  and  very  often  he  axes  my  'pinion 
about  things  he  knows  I  have  a  right  to  know  sumf  n 
about.  I  does  s'mit  to  him,  and  so  I  oughter 
do :  it  'ud  be  wrong  if  I  didn't.  And,  mastah,  I 
don't  b'leve  any  servant  who  does  right's  ever 
whipped  like  a  brute,  as  you  says." 

"  You  say,  Moses,  you  are  allowed  to  do  as  you 
please  in  some  things  ;  but  recollect,  these  are  only 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K.  31 

very  unimportant  matters.  And,  at  best,  you  are 
not  free :  to  say  your  master  allows  you  is  an  ac- 
knowledgment he  has  the  right  to  prevent  it ;  and 
that  you  are  not  whipped — most  degrading  punish- 
ment ! — is  not  that  no  one  has  the  right  to  do  it,  but 
you  obey  all  orders,  and  do  not  put  his  authority  to 
the  test.  But  only  think  of  the  glorious  privilege 
of  being  independent  of  any  one,  of  doing  as  you 
please  in  all  things  !  And  this  priceless  boon,  Moses, 
was  intended  by  God  to  be  enjoyed  by  every  child 
of  Adam.  It  is  a  great  sin  not  to  endeavor,  by  all 
the  means  in  our  power,  to  secure  this  greatest  of 
all  blessings.  To  run  away  from  a  master  is  a  right- 
eous act ;  and  not  to  do  so,  when  occasion  offers,  a 
sin.  Can  you  really  be  in  earnest  when  you  say  it 
would  be  wrong  not  to  obey  your  master  ?  If  so, 
you  are  laboring  under  an  entire  mistake.  No  doubt 
they  take  especial  pains  to  have  you  believe  so ;  but 
there  is  no  shadow  of  authority  to  be  found  any- 
where, except  in  the  wills  of  masters,  and  the  law 
that  might  makes  right,  for  one  man  to  hold  such 
control  over  another." 

Justus  had  now  become  warm,  and  all  thoughts 
of  consequences  were  forgotten.  To  all  this,  how- 
ever, Moses  replied : 

"  I's  learned  to  read  a  little,  mastah ;  and  de  Bible 
says,  *  Servants  must  obey  dar  masters  in  all  things.' 


32  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Now  mebbe  you's  so  lamed,  you  find  some  better' 
meanin'  for  it;  but  I's  jis'  got  to  take  it  for 
what  it  says,  and  'taint  right  to  run  away  from  mas- 
tah." 

"  You  entirely  mistake  again,  Moses.  The  great 
apostle  could  never  have  thought  of  giving  any  en- 
couragement to  such  a  thing  as  slavery  ;  and,  believe 
me,  you  are  grievously  wronged.  But  if  you  would 
gain  your  own  consent  to  be  a  man,  Moses,  a  happy, 
free  man,  I  might  give  you  instructions  that  would 
be  of  advantage  to  you,  or,  perhaps,  aid  you  other- 
wise." 

Uncle  Moses's  eyes  were  opened  wider  than  ever, 
and  he  shrank  back  instinctively,  replying:  "I 
must  n't  heah  dis  kin'  o'  talk,  mastah :  I  must  go 
to  camp  now.  I  stayed  too  long,  anyhow.  But, 
mastah,  I's  boun'  t'  tell  Mas'  Jeems  all  'bout  dis, 
and  I  'spec'  you'd  best  to  leave  while  times  is 
good." 

"  "Well,  Moses" — as  the  words  of  the  slave  brought 
to  his  mind  a  thought  as  to  what  might  be  the  effect 
of  his  rashness — "  I  am  sorry  you  will  not  view  the 
matter  in  its  proper  light,  and  that  I  must  abandon 
all  hope  of  seeing  you  escape  from  your  wretched 
state.  So,  with  a  heavy  heart,  I  leave  you,  expect- 
ing to  become  a  martyr  myself  to  the  cause  of  hu- 
manity; for  nothing  short  of  my  destruction,  I 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  33 

suppose,  can  atone  for  the  heinous  offence  of  trying 
to  alleviate  the  miseries  of  the  helpless  and  op- 
pressed." And  at  that  moment  came  rushing  on 
Justus  the  memory  of  all  the  atrocities  of  which  he 
had  either  heard  or  read,  under  which  persons  en- 
gaged in  similar  acts  of  mercy  had  been  made  to 
suffer  and  to  expire.  For  a  moment  a  sense  of  his 
extreme  danger  overwhelmed  him  ;  but,  recovering 
most  heroically,  and  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  martyr, 
he  continued : 

"But  be  it  so,  Moses:  it  is  a  privilege  even  to 
perish  in  a  good  cause,  and  in  this  cause  thrice  hap- 
py !  yea,  glorious !  Farewell,  Moses :  I  can  freely 
sympathize  with  you,  though  you  will  not  appreciate 
my  kind  and  merciful  efforts,  but  will  rather  join 
with  an  inhuman  master  to  persecute  me." 

"  I  don  't  intend  to  persecute  you,  mastah,  but 
only  to  do  my  duty.  Good-bye  !  and  I'd  be  mighty 
glad  if  you'd  leave,  and  quit  all  dese  ways." 

Upon  the  departure  of  the  negro,  Justus  subjected 
the  above  conversation  to  a  strict  examination,  in 
order  to  learn  what  he  might  be  able  to  gather  there- 
from suitable  to  his  purpose.  But,  view  it  in  what 
light  he  would,  it  still  seemed  rather  unfavorable ; 
and  he  had  well-nigh  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
Boston  itself  was  a  more  favorable  field  for  observa- 
tion than  the  one  now  occupied.  But  no  !  A  bright 
2 


34  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

idea  strikes  him,  and  he  suddenly  exclaims,  with 
exultation : 

"I  see  through  the  whole  affair.  This  slave  has 
been  tutored  to  talk  thus.  He  is  not,  he  cannot  be, 
better  satisfied  in  his  condition  than  I  would  be ; 
and  I  fully  believe  that,  had  he  not  been  made  to 
think  such  a  thing  as  escaping  impossible,  he  would 
gladly  avail  himself  of  the  first  opportunity  to  do 
so.  Barely  to  report  this  conversation  will  be  worth 
a  great  deal.  For  who  can  believe  that  any  person, 
however  degraded,  could  utter  such  a  sentiment  as 
realty  the  conviction  of  his  own  mind — that,  as  a 
servant,  it  is  right  for  him  to  obey  his  master ;  nay, 
wrong  to  disobey !  In  what  light,  then,  will  this 
matter  appear,  when  it  is  shown  how  slaves  are 
made  to  dissemble  in  the  presence  of  strangers? 
And  what  measures  must  of  necessity  be  resorted 
to,  to  bring  them  to  this  state  !  Humanity  shudders 
at  it." 

This  great  discovery,  with  sundry  reflections 
thereon,  and  so  much  of  the  conversation  with  Un- 
cle Moses  as  suited  his  purpose,  was  speedily  entered 
among  Justus's  items ;  and  complacently  running 
his  eye  over  it,  he  inwardly  congratulated  himself 
on  the  imposing  show  which,  when  properly  elabo- 
rated, it  would  make  in  his  forthcoming  volume. 
Yet  it  is  true  he  could  not  forget  the  fact  that  this 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  35 

was  merely  a  surmise,  and  rather  an  improbable 
one  at  that,  seized  on  as  a  drowning  man  will  catch 
at  straws.  So,  notwithstanding  the  confidence  ex- 
pressed, he  was  far  from  being  satisfied  with  this 
case ;  for  even  had  he  collected  a  sufficiency  of  such 
items  to  fill  his  book,  he  would  have  required  a 
little  confirmation  before  sending  them  to  the 
world,  being,  with  all  his  humanity,  not  quite  so 
gullible,  or  so  scarce  of  common  sense,  as  the  sage 
item-hunter  who  invented  for  the  occasion  the  story 
of  the  negro  coachman  chained  by  the  neck  while 
driving  his  master  to  church.* 

Having  no  doubt  that  this,  if  indeed  a  case  true 
to  appearances,  was  a  very  rare  one,  and  that  there 
were  many  slaves  in  attendance  on  the  meeting  who 
would  render  a  very  different  report  from  that  of 
Uncle  Moses,  he  determined,  as  he  had  committed 
himself  so  far  already,  to  seek,  during  the  continu- 
ance of  the  meeting,  for  some  more  pliant  subject, 
on  whom  to  operate,  without  relaxing,  at  the  same 
time,  his  vigilance  in  other  quarters. 


*  A  Northern  newspaper  some  time  since  published  an  account,  by 
some  verdant  correspondent  travelling  in  the  South,  of  a  family 
being  driven  to  church  by  a  negro  chained  by  the  neck,  which  said 
correspondent  seemed  to  consider  but  an  ordinary  occurrence. 

This  will  at  once  be  recognized  as  a  part  of  the  regular  staple 
from  which  aifecting  anecdotes  are  manufactured  for  abolition  use. 


36  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER   III. 

RENCOUNTER    AND     REBUFF. 

"A  man  convinced  against  his  will 
Is  of  the  same  opinion  still." 

AFTER  his  interview  with  the  negro,  it  seemed  to 
Justus  that  he  was  looked  upon  with  an  eye  of  sus- 
picion. This  he  at  once,  very  naturally,  attributed 
to  the  report  Uncle  Moses  had  given  of  the  affair 
between  them.  However,  determined  not  to  be 
deterred  in  the  prosecution  of  his  great  work  by 
any  thing  short  of  actual  compulsion,  he  diligently 
continued  his  quest  of  some  one  in  the  colored  por- 
tion of  the  assemblage,  from  whom  he  might  learn 
something  more  definite,  with  which  at  once  both 
to  grace  his  work,  and  more  intensely  to  excite  the 
minds  of  his  Northern  friends. 

"Not  that  he  was  at  all  pleased  with  the  course  he 
had  taken,  but  circumstances  had  driven  him  into 
it ;  and  now  was  no  time  to  pause.  His  purpose  in 
visiting  the  South— to  form  a  collection  of  the  re- 
volting and  shocking  scenes  incident  to  Southern 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  37 

slavery — was  so  far  from  being  accomplished,  that 
he  had  become  somewhat  uneasy.  So  far  from  the 
evils  he  had  expected,  he  found  that  many  things, 
before  regarded  as  settled  facts,  were  merely  exag- 
gerations of  matters  in  themselves  harmless.  Yet, 
even  thus  enlightened,  there  remained  sufficient 
credulity  in  his  previous  information  to  more  than 
condemn  slavery.  Aware,  however,  of  the  fact 
that  accounts  such  as  those  he  sought  to  lay  before 
his  readers  would  create  a  more  exciting  interest, 
of  such  scenes  he  must  have  details.  If  not  for- 
tunate enough  to  witness  them  himself,  he  must 
apply  to  those  whose  unhappiness  has  consisted  in 
being  forced  painfully  to  participate  in  them.  Being 
unable  to  accomplish  this  in  or  about  the  precincts 
of  the  camp-ground,  there  remained  but  this,  that 
he  should  betake  himself  to  the  scene  of  yesterday's 
adventure.  Even  this,  as  fearing  watchful  eyes 
were  upon  him,  he  thought  it  not  prudent  to 
attempt  openly,  and  that  he  had  better  seek  a  round- 
about way  to  that  locality.  While  performing  this 
movement,  he  chanced  to  meet  with  Uncle  Moses 
again. 

Justus  had  regretted  the  length  to  which  he  had 
gone  in  committing  himself  before  the  negro,  and 
had  entertained  thoughts  of  another  interview,  to 
counteract,  in  part,  the  impression  he  had  previously 


38  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

made.  His  present  good  fortune,  however,  was 
beyond  his  hopes. 

As  he  found  himself  in  something  of  a  dilemma, 
and  was,  consequently,  confused,  we  shall  not  at- 
tempt to  repeat  his  explanatory  remarks,  which  were, 
in  part,  to  the  effect  that  Uncle  Moses  must  not 
suppose  his  friend  had  any  design,  in  his  remarks 
of  the  previous  day,  further  than  to  test  his  fidelity. 

Uncle  Moses,  however,  did  not  appear  to  put  a 
great  deal  of  confidence  in  his  explanations,  hut  was 
willing  to  let  it  all  pass,  being  not  particularly  con- 
cerned in  that  matter.  He  too,  in  consideration  of 
some  expressions  made  by  the  "gem'n"  on  the  pre- 
vious evening,  and  the  new  light  that  had  broken 
into  his  own  mind  in  cogitating  on  the  subject,  was 
anxious  for  another  interview ;  so,  without  seeming 
to  notice  the  remarks  of  Justus,  so  soon  as  an  op- 
portunity was  given  him  to  speak,  he  began  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  You  b'leve,  mastah,  dat  no  man  dat  owns  slaves  can 
be  good  man,  does  you  ?  Seems  to  me  you  said  so 
t'other  day." 

Justus  thought  of  returning  an  evasive  answer ; 
but  not  being  skilful  in  dissembling,  the  words 
of  the  slave,  so  appropriately  expressing  his  views, 
threw  him  off  his  guard,  and,  oblivious  to  his  late 
fears  and  resolves,  he  replied,  with  emphasis : 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  39 

"  Yes,  sir;  such,  is  indeed  ray  opinion.  I  would  as 
much  expect  to  enter  heaven  with  the  knife  in  my  hand, 
still  reeking  with  the  blood  of  my  brother,  as  with  the 
stain  of  this  accursed  thing  on  my  soul.  No,  my — 
friend,  no  righteous  man  would  own  slaves :  it  is  too 
great  a  crime  for  him  to  think  of  committing." 

"I  wish,  mastah,  you'd  jis'  call  me  Moses,  or 
Uncle  Moses,  ef  you  likes:  I's  bin  used  to  dat, 
and  white  folks  's  not  used  to  call  me  nuf  n  else." 

Justus  had  barely  completed  his  last-mentioned 
reply  before  he  regretted  it,  and  determined  to 
stand,  guarded  by  prudence,  firm  against  any 
temptation  to  give  expression  to  his  views,  happen 
what  might.  But  as  the  "Ethiopian  cannot  change 
his  skin,  nor  the  leopard  his  spots,"  so  Justus  could 
not  lay  aside  his  philanthropy,  which  was,  in  fact, 
a  part  of  his  being;  and  this  speech  of  Uncle 
Moses  called  into  instant  and  full  play  every  latent 
spark  thereof,  opening  beyond  all  hope  the  fount- 
ains that  he  had  even  just  now  determined  should 
remain  sealed ;  though  one  less  benevolent  might 
have  found  nothing  exciting  in  Uncle  Moses's  re- 
marks, or  aught  connected  with  or  growing  out  of 
them. 

"And  what  right  have  they,"  he  exclaimed  indig- 
nantly, "to  disregard  all  the  conventionalities  of 
life  in  your  case  ?  They  must  be  Mr.  So-and-so,  or 


40  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

A.  B.,  or  What-not,  Esq.,  or  have  A.M.,  D.  D.,  or 
M.  D.  appended  to  their  names ;  while  upon  you, 
in  common  with  their  dogs,  their  oxen,  and  their 
horses,  they  bestow  the  appellations,  Mose,  Dick, 
Jack,  etc.,  merely  for  the  sake  of  distinguishing 
one  piece  of  property  from  another.  0,  it  is  a 
shame,  Moses — as  thus  only  I  must  call  you — though 
even  this  is  a  trifling  matter,  and,  indeed,  a  shining 
spot,  compared  with  the  darker  parts  of  the  inhu- 
man system !" 

"Well,  mastah,  ef  I  'as  jis'  smart  'nuff  to  tell 
what  I  knows  or  thinks,  like  you  can,  I  might  lead 
you  to  talk  diff'rent.  I  had  chance  to  be  free  once. 
Mas  Jeems  tuck  me  to  New  York  to  let  me  have 
freedom;  but  I  tell  you,  mastah,  before  I'd  been 
dar  two  days,  I  wanted  to  come  back  wid  him.  I 
do'no  how  to  tell  it,  but  de  good  slaves  heatis  more 
'spectable  dan  de  mos'  ob  de  colored  folks  dar,  or 
dan  a  heap  o'  de  pooh  white  folks.  I  noticed  dese 
tings,  mastah,  and  I  talked  to  some  o'  my  own 
folks  'bout  it.  Day  know  day  ain't  more'n  half 
free,  and  not  thought  nothin'  of  in  s'iety;  and 
none  but  de  few  who  happens  to  git  property  are 
noticed  't  all.  If  I  could  git  to  be  white,  it  might 
be  some  use  to  be  free.  !N"ow  heah,  dar's  not  a 
man  knows  Uncle  Moses  meets  him  widout  shakin' 
hands  and  talkin'  friendly,  and  answerin'  all  de 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  41 

queshuns  he  axes.  And  when  I  gits  sick,  all  de 
black  people  around  comes  to  see  me,  and  wait  on 
me,  and  set  up  wid  me ;  and  no  matter  how  busy 
de  times  is,  I's  certain  to  have  plenty  company; 
and  Mas  Jeems  and  missus,  and  other  white  folks, 
often  comes  to  see  me  and  talk  wid  me.  I  think, 
mastah,  slaves  dat  knows  it,  is  a  heap  better  off  dan 
some  ob  your  folks  at  de  Norf.  Your  own  'spe- 
rience'll  tell  you  more  about  dese  things  than  I 
can." 

"Ah,  Moses,  you  are  entirely  in  the  wrong !  A 
person  with  right  views  would  prefer  freedom,  with 
any  conceivable  state  of  wretchedness,  to  slavery, 
attended  with  all  comforts,  save  that  alone  of  free- 
dom, that  could  be  desired;  and  yet  you  know 
your  mode  of  life  is  not  attended  with  many  com- 
forts. For  my  part,  had  I  the  choice  of  being  a 
free  man,  in  a  land  where  I  should  be  totally  iso- 
lated, treated  with  contempt  by  all ;  or  as  a  slave, 
with  all  the  blessings  of  friends  and  friendly  asso- 
ciations, such  is  my  estimate  of  freedom,  that  I 
would  unhesitatingly  choose  the  former  situation." 

"Ah,  mastah,  gib  me  frien's  and  'sociates ;  mebbe 
you  think  now  as  you  talk;  but  I  b'leve  you'd 
change  your  mind  ef  you  'as  to  try  it.  But,  any- 
how, you  must  know,  mastah,  dar's  a  diff'rence 
'twixt  white  folks  and  black  ones.  Youah  people's 


42  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

s'perior  to'ourn,  and  dis  's  de  bes'  way  we  kin  git 
'long  togeder.  Sometimes  it  does  seem  to  me  it 's 
hard  an'  wrong,  an'  that  it  could  n't  a  been  intended 
for  us  to  be  treated  so ;  but  don't  you  have  white 
servants  in  youah  country  ?  Day  is  free ;  but  what 
good  is  it  to  'em  ?  Day  has  mastahs  jis'  as  well  as  we. 
Dur  little  wages  is  all  day  gits,  an'  wThen  day  's 
sick  an'  old,  nobody  cares  for  'em;  money  soon 
goes,  an'  den  no  frien's.  We  has  de  care  ob  our 
mastahs,  an'  when  sick  an'  old,  neber  wants  for 
frien's." 

"Ah,  Moses,  I  discover  you  are  well  schooled; 
but  your  reasoning  is  very  transparent.  Though 
our  white  servants — hired  persons,  or  helps,  you 
should  have  called  them — have  no  claim  on  their 
masters,  further  than  their  wages,  and  can  claim 
nothing  of  them  in  sickness  or  old  age  beyond 
this,  yet  you  must  recollect  they  have  the  disposal 
of  their  own  time;  and,  should  they  ever  be 
brought  so  low,  we  have  comfortable  poor-houses, 
where  they  can  be  taken  care  of  at  the  public  ex- 
pense." 

"Ah,  mastah,  to  be  put  in  poor-house 's  sorry 
comfort  arter  a  life  ob  servin'.  De  diff'rence,  in 
fact,  I  can't  see.  We  labors  for  a  mastah  while 
we  's  in  health,  and  hab  a  right  to  a  livin'  when  old 
an'  sick.  You  works  jis'  's  hard,  an'  den  are  alto- 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  43 

gether  'pendent  on  others.  Ef  you 's  purvided  fur, 
its  charity.  Now  I  'd  ruther  be  in  a  way  to  hab  a 
right  to  dat  I  needs,  an'  not  hab  to  look  to  folks  dat 
don't  care  for  me,  an'  dat,  too,  whar  dar  's  so  many 
needin'  help,  an'  so  few  ready  to  gib  it.  An',  be- 
sides, you  know,  at  de  bes',  we  can't  be  equal  to  de 
whites,  and  I  'd  sooner  be  a  slave  heah.  Ef  slavery 's 
wrong,  we's  been  under  it  so  long  we  wouldn't 
know  how  to  behave  if  we  'as  free." 

"I  perceive,  Moses,  your  intellect  has  become 
dull ;  your  perceptions  in  regard  to  this  matter  are 
confused,  and  your  prejudice  too  strong.  You  will 
not  be  enlightened,  Moses." 

This  sentence  Justus  intended  should  end  the 
conference;  but  Moses,  who  had  been  led  away 
from  his  subject,  did  not  feel  like  giving  up  his 
point.  He  rejoined  interrogatively,  reverting  to 
his  first  proposition : 

"Well  den,  mastah,  I  s'pose  you  can't  b'leve 
Abra'm  was  a  good  man  ?" 

"I  must  confess  I  do  not  understand  you,  Moses ; 
what  had  the  patriarch,  Abraham,  to  do  with  this 
question?" 

"Why,  wasn't  Abra'm  a  slaveholder,  mastah?" 

"  Now  do  not  display  your  lack  of  discrimination 
so  plainly,  Moses !  The  servitude  in  the  time  of 
Abraham  was,  doubtless,  a  far  different  thing  from 


44  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

our  slavery  of  the  present  day ;  perhaps  they  were 
merely  hired  for  a  term  of  years.  Though,  be  the 
condition  of  his  servants  what  it  might,  from  this 
we  know  that  he  was  no  slaveholder:  he  was  un- 
doubtedly a  just  man,  and  no  man  of  that  class, 
you  know,  can  own  a  slave." 

"I  don 'no  dat,  mastah,  for  I  knows  good  men  dat 
does  own  'em.  I  dunno  whah  you  gits  youah 
knowledge,  but  I  can't  see  nothin'  in  de  Bible  looks 
like  day  didn't  own  dar  slaves,  jis's  much  as  our 
mastahs  o\^tis  us." 

"  0,  well,  we  will  not  contend  about  this,  Moses ; 
for  it  makes  no  difference,  one  way  or  another,  what 
may  have  taken  place  in  those  barbarous  ages. 
Recollect,  the  things  connected  with  this  man  in 
the  Scripture  history  transpired  in  the  infancy  of 
the  world,  and  cannot  in  any  wise  be  an  example 
for  us  in  this  enlightened  age.  The  times  have 
changed  very  much,  Moses,  even  allowing  your 
supposition  to  be  correct." 

"ISTow  dis  don't  soun'  right,  mastah!  "Wasn't  it 
de  same  God  ruled  den  dat  dus  now  ?  An'  if  dis 
ting  was  wrong,  den  wouldn't  it  'a  been  spoken 
about  as  sumf'n  wicked?" 

"Another  evidence,  Moses,  that  your  instructions 
have  all  had  respect  to  one  side  of  this  subject,  and 
that  you  have  entirely  failed  to  study  the  other. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  45 

But  do  you  not  perceive  that  it  is  owing  to  the 
plainness  of  the  case  that  it  has  not  been  animad- 
verted on  ?  the  inspired  men  who  wrote  the 
Scripture,  perhaps,  thinking  it  too  clear  to  require 
warning.  Though,  depend  upon  it,  Moses,  you 
need  not  think  to  strengthen  your  position  by  such 
reasoning ;  yet,  I  doubt  not,  you  are  well  drilled  in 
it,  and  the  Bible  diligently  searched  for  arguments 
to  render  you  satisfied  with  your  state,  by  those 
who  do  you  the  occasional  favor  of  reading  to 
you." 

"  You  forget,  mastah  !  I  can  read  myself;  an'  I 
read  de  Bible  t'rough  more'n  once." 

"  True,  you  did  tell  ine  you  had  learned  to  read. 
So  they  have  not  that  advantage  over  you ;  and  I 
think,  Moses,  you  are  not  convinced  of  the  great 
criminality  of  the  thing,  only  because  you  will 
not  be." 

"  Well,  heah  's  sumf 'n  else,  mastah :  we  read  in 
the  book  of  Leviticus  dat  de  child'n  of  Isr'l  was 
told  day  should  buy  slaves.  I  marked  de  place,  an' 
I'll  jis  read  it  to  you;  doe  I  s'pose  you's  seed  it 
many  a  time.  It's  in  de  twenty -fif  chapter,  de 
forty-fif  and  sixt'  verses."  "We  will  take  the  lib- 
erty of  rendering  it  for  him :  "  Moreover,  of  the 
children  of  the  strangers  that  sojourn  among  you, 
of  them  shall  ye  buy,  and  of  their  families  that  arc 


46  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

with  you,  which  they  begat  in  your  land ;  and  they 
shall  be  your  possession.  And  ye  shall  take  them 
as  an  inheritance  for  your  children  after  you,  to  in- 
herit them  for  a  possession :  they  shall  be  your 
bondmen  for  ever." 

"Now,  aint  dis  slavery?" 

"This  is  only  permitted,  Moses,"  replied  Justus, 
"  as  if  God  had  said :  4  If  you  must  buy  bondmen, 
do  not  seek  your  brethren,  but  strangers.'  Though 
allowing  to  this  language  all  the  force  it  can  in 
any  wise  claim,  you  should  not  lay  too  much  stress 
on  it ;  for  the  words  were  spoken  at  a  time  when 
men's  minds  were  not  prepared  to  receive  any  thing 
better ;  when  society  was  in  an  unformed  and  cha- 
otic state.  Therefore,  even  though  this  buying 
were  in  any  manner  similar  to  what  is  here  prac- 
ticed, we  are  now  too  enlightened  to  receive  an  ex- 
ample from  such  an  age." 

"I'm  boun'  to  think,  mastah,  it's  you  dat  won't 
be  pervinced.  Now  you  knows  jis  before  dis  dey 
was  'low'd  to  buy  one  anudder  till  de  jubilee,  when 
da  must  be  set  free;  but  strangers  could  belong 
to  'em,  an'  d'scen'  to  dar  child'ns.  But  was 'nt  de 
good  Bein'  givin'  his  people  laws  to  be  governed 
by,  an'  aint  day  a  sample  for  us  too  ?  And  if  dis 
ting  is  so  fur  wrong  now,  wouldn't  it  'a  been  too 
much  so  dcn-9  for  Him  dat  knows  ebery  ting,  to  com- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEE.  47 

mand  his  people  to  do  it?  He  wanted  'em  to  be 
holy,  an'  couldn't  he  'a  said:  'Thou  shalt  not  own 
servants,'  as  well  as,  'Thou  shalt  not  HUT  an'  ef  it's 
wicked,  wouldn't  he  'a  done  it  too? 

"If  dem  was  barb'rous  times,  I  reckon  he  wus 
as  wise  den  as  he  is  now;  for  it's  said:  'He's  de 
same  yesterday,  an'  to-day,  an'  for  ever,'  an'  he 
could  see  what  de  command  would  lead  to.  An' 
he  didn't  say  any  ting  'bout  '  ef  you  will  hab  'em;' 
but  you  shall  buy.  But  what  he  even  'lows,  as  you 
says,  can't  be  so  bad." 

"  There  is  another  thing  you  seem  to  forget, 
Moses.  Those  strangers,  by  their  wickedness,  had 
forfeited  all  their  rights,  and  were  doomed  to  de- 
struction ;  which  seems  to  have  been  commuted,  in 
the  case  of  those  who  by  any  means  escaped,  to 
perpetual  bondage." 

"Do  you  reckon,  mastah,  dese  strangers  is  de 
Cana'nites  day  was  commanded  to  destroy?" 

" Most  assuredly,  Moses!  I  cannot  believe  that 
a  merciful  God  would  condemn  to  hopeless  slavery 
any  but  those  who  had  fully  forfeited  all  rights  to 
life.  And  here,  Moses,  at  this  particular  point, 
modern  slaveholders  are  left  without  their  model 
or  example." 

"Mebbe  not,  dough;  mebbe  we's  in  de  same 
state.  I  know  I'm  jis'  guessin'  noio,  but  wasn't 


48  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

you  a  guessin'  too  ?  For  aint  dese  de  same  stran- 
gers dat's  spoken  of  as  bein'  made  pros'lytes,  an' 
comin'  under  de  same  law  as  de  Jew  hisself  ?  Dis 
do  n't  look  much  like  da  was  to  be  destroyed,  any- 
how. Besides,  dar  chil'en  was  to  be  bought  too, 
an'  da  hadn't  sin'd;  an'  ef  da  was  so  wicked  as  to 
d'sarve  to  be  killed,  mebbe  da  could  do  pooty  near 's 
much  harm  bein'  servants  as  any  oder  way.  I's 
got  de  idees,  but  don't  know  how  to  'spress  'em; 
but  you  know  what  I  mean,  mastah." 

"Alas !  alas!"  sighed  Justus,  "how  obstinately 
you  will  defend  this  iniquitous  thing !  and  that, 
too,  notwithstanding  you  are  so  deeply  injured  by 
it.  And  to  endeavor  to  press  the  Scriptures  into 
service!  But,  sir" — entirely  thrown  off  his  guard — 
"  could  I  ever  be  brought  to  believe  that  the  Bible 
gives  the  least  countenance  to  slavery,  I  would  re- 
pudiate it.  I  would  trample  on  it  and  its  unhal- 
lowed teachings,  and  exert  myself  to  the  utmost  to 
destroy  it  from  off  the  face  of  the  earth.  I  never 
could  recognize  as  God  a  being  who  represents  himself 
as  so  manifestly  unjust." 

In  blank  astonishment  and  utter  horror,  the  ne- 
gro gazed  in  his  face  for  a  moment,  and  then,  turn- 
ing on  his  heel,  abruptly  left  him.  Glad  to  be  re- 
lieved of  his  presence,  Justice  continued  his  course. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  49 


CHAPTER    IV. 

\ 

SUSPICIONS     AROUSED. 


"  How  now !     What  do  you  here  alone  ?" 

IT  chanced  that  Justus's  concealment  on  the  pre- 
vious day,  while  listening  to  the  sermon  to  the 
blacks,  was  not  so  perfect  as  he  thought;  and  he 
had  "been  discovered  by  an  aged  negro  who  was 
wending  his  way  to  the  place  of  worship.  This 
negro  was  not  able,  by  any  mode  of  reasoning  he 
could  employ,  to  satisfy  his  mind  as  to  the  meaning 
of  a  "white  ge'man"  being  in  such  a  situation 
alone  ;  and,  indeed,  was  at  a  loss,  under  the  circum- 
stances, to  imagine  what  particular  business  he 
could  have  there  at  all.  He  was  fully  convinced 
that  it  boded  no  good ;  and  as,  from  time  to  time 
during  the  service,  he  cast  his  eyes  toward  the 
stranger's  place  of  concealment,  the  display  of  the 
note-taking  operations — by  the  way,  rather  infre- 
quent— tended  in  no  way  to  allay  his  suspicions. 
Immediately  after  the  completion  of  the  exercises, 


50  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

he  reported  the  case  to  the  officiating  clergyman. 
This  person,  who  already  had  an  eye  of  suspicion 
on  Justus,  chiefly  in  consequence  of  his  comments 
in  regard  to  the  announcement  of  preaching  to  tie 
blacks,  was  at  once  ready  to  conceive  an  idea  of  a 
plot  forming  for  the  ahduction  of  slaves  from  the 
camp-ground.  His  first  impulse  was  to  accost  the 
stranger,  and  learn  the  motive  for  his  singular  con- 
duct; hut  this  he  declined,  considering  it  better  to 
suffer  the  plan,  if  such  thing  there  might  be,  to 
work  its  own  way  to  light.  Yet,  in  order  to  hasten 
its  development,  having  seen  the  congregation  re- 
tire, with  a  strict  injunction  of  silence  on  the  sub- 
ject to  those  in  the  secret,  he  left  alone  on  the 
ground  his  faithful  Moses,  who,  he  well  knew, 
would  be  proof  against  all  arts  of  persuasion ;  be- 
lieving that,  if  his  suspicions  were  well  grounded, 
this  would  be  a  lure  not  to  be  withstood. 

This  arrangement  made,  he  betook  himself  to  the 
tents  to  await  the  result  in  patience. 

The  interview  between  Justus  and  the  negro  was 
faithfully  reported  by  the  latter,  agreeably  to  pro- 
mise. The  master,  Mr.  Blanton,  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  peculiar  views  of  abolitionists, 
and  he  knew  the  excitement  occasioned  by  the 
known  presence  of  one  of  Justus's  stamp  on  the 
ground  \vould  be  intense,  and  the  danger  to  him 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  51 

of  ill-usage  quite  imminent.  He  further  knew 
that  even  a  general  suspicion  of  a  person  being  of 
this  character,  would  be  deemed  reason  enough  for 
demanding  at  least  his  abandonment  of  any  locality 
in  which  he  might  be  found.  It  was  these  con- 
siderations that  influenced  his  actions  in  the  affair 
from  the  commencement.  Though  not  apt  to  use 
any  means  to  screen  the  guilty,  or  to  connive  at  the 
escape  of  offenders  from  punishment,  it  was  abhor- 
rent to  his  feelings  to  cause  any  excitement  against 
one  not  known  to  be  an  evil-doer,  or  in  any  wise 
to  injure  him.  He,  therefore,  determined  to  pre- 
serve strict  silence  in  regard  to  his  suspicions  until 
they  should  be  confirmed. 

For  this  reason  he  chose  to  meet  his  servant  on 
his  return  in  an  unfrequented  place.  "Well, 
Moses,"  he  began,  "did  you  receive  a  visit  from 
our  attentive  listener  behind  the  oak?" 

"Yes,  sah;  and  a  visit  indeed!  He's  a  bad 
man,  Mas'  Jeems  ;  he's  not  doin'  no  good  heah  cer- 
tain, an'  he  may  do  a  heap  o'  harm." 

There  chanced  to  be  a  third  person  in  hearing, 
of  whose  presence  neither  Mr.  Blanton  nor  Moses 
was  aware:  whose  curiosity  being  excited  by  the 
rather  singular  interrogatory  and  reply,  he  silently 
listened,  while  Uncle  Moses  made  his  report. 

"  Did  he  seem  disposed  to  listen  to  your  advice, 


52  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Moses,  or  do  you  think  he  will  be  apt  to  make 
another  attempt  there  ?"  asked  the  master,  after  the 
slave  had  ended  his  account. 

""Well,  I  dunno  sah,  indeed,"  replied  Moses; 
"  when  I  told  him  what  I  did,  he  said  somef  n  'bout 
bein'  a  martyr,  an'  a  heap  more  dat  I  did  n't  under- 
stand ;  but  he  did  n't  talk  nuf  n  like  he  was  goin' 
to  leave,  an'  I  wouldn't  wonder  if  he's  dar  agin." 

"  Very  well ;  say  nothing  about  it,  Moses.  He 
shall  be  watched ;  and,  if  blessed  with  any  regard 
for  his  own  welfare,  will  not  delay  his  departure 
many  hours." 

The  recent  developments  had  placed  Mr.  Blanton 
in  a  rather  unpleasant  state  of  mind  in  regard  to 
his  dealings  with  the  visitor  from  the  North.  He 
could  form  no  other  conclusion  than  that  he  was 
some  inexperienced  youth,  just  let  loose  from  an 
abolition  society,  with  his  mind,  in  all  probability, 
recently  inflamed  by  a  characteristic  speech  from 
some  choice  leader.  On  no  other  ground  could  he 
account  for  his  madness  in  exposing  himself  to 
risk,  where  there  was  no  hope  of  accomplishing 
any  thing,  and  no  probability  of  receiving  aid  or 
sympathy  in  case  of  detection. 

Reflecting  on  these  things,  and  believing  that  a 
few  weeks'  observation  would  reveal  to  him  a  better 
view  of  the  subject,  he  felt  an  inclination  to  allow 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  53 

him  to  continue  his  operations  uninterrupted ;  and, 
in  pity  to  him,  he  did  not  wish  to  be  instrumental 
in  procuring  the  infliction  upon  him  of  the  penalty 
due  to  an  outraged  law,  if  it  could  be  avoided  by 
any  honorable  means. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  notwithstanding  he  was 
too  far  removed  from  headquarters  to  be  able  to 
accomplish  any  thing  in  his  peculiar  line,  there  was 
yet  danger  that  his  representations  might  lead  some 
of  the  more  excitable  slaves  to  abscond,  causing  no 
little  inconvenience  and  loss  to  their  masters  in 
their  recovery.  He  hoped  to  be  relieved  of  all  re- 
sponsibility by  the  sudden  departure  of  Justus  ;  but 
in  case  he  should  again  be  found  in  a  suspicious 
position,  circumstances,  and  the  views  presented 
thereby,  should  determine  the  mode  of  treatment 
to  be  resorted  to. 

This  point  arranged  in  his  mind,  the  next  consid- 
eration was  to  find  assistants,  to  whom  he  could 
reveal  his  suspicion  and  his  plan,  without  stirring 
up  a  spirit  of  persecution  against  the  abolitionist. 
This,«as  he  had  anticipated,  was  found  to  be  no  easy 
matter.  But  at  length  the  thing  was  settled,  the 
whole  conduct  of  the  business  being  left  to  Mr. 
Blanton,  the  others  to  aid  him  in  the  performance 
of  whatever  might  be  determined  on  as  the  final 
measure. 


54  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

Apprehensive  that  the  stranger  might  not  be  dis- 
posed to  take  the  kind  advice  of  Uncle  Moses,  as 
the  time  for  service  drew  near,  Mr.  Blanton  and 
company  proceeded  to  reconnoitre  the  ground  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  negroes'  meeting-place.  The 
object  of  their  solicitude  was  found  at  his  post ;  on 
discovering  which,  the  guardian  trio  were  speed- 
ily concealed,  calmly  awaiting  the  course  of 
events. 

Far  different  were  the  feelings  of  the  two  parties 
at  this  stage  of  the  proceedings.  Justus,  having 
learned  that  the  pulpit  was  to  be  occupied  by  one 
holding  views  slightly  different  from  those  of  the 
minister  of  the  previous  day,  congratulated  himself 
on  having  secured  so  favorable  a  position  for  hear- 
ing what  might  be  said.  He  had  taken  care  to  con- 
ceal himself  more  effectually  than  on  yesterday. 
He  did  not  doubt  that  matters  were  approaching  a 
crisis  in  his  case ;  yet,  happily,  ignorant  of  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  stroke  was  to  fall,  or  the  direction 
whence  it  was  to  come,  he  exulted  in  the  thought 
that,  happen  what  might,  he  would  at  least  fcnjoy 
the  rare  opportunity  of  exposing  to  his  brethren  a 
slaveholder's  sermon  to  the  negroes. 

The  watchers,  on  their  part,  were  solacing  them- 
selves with  the  reflection  that,  whatever  danger  to 
their  interests  there  might  be  from  the  presence  of 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  55 

the  abolitionist,  they  themselves  were  at  hand  to 
counteract  it,  and  that  they  would  speedily  have  the 
proof  before  them,  whether  or  not  this  was  really 
his  character. 


56  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER   V. 

DETECTED     AND     EXPOSED. 

"  Do  not,  for  one  repulse,  forego  the  purpose  which  you  resolved 
to  effect." 

UPON  being  so  abruptly  abandoned  by  Uncle 
Moses,  Justus's  first  emotion  was  one  of  pleasure 
at  the  riddance.  But  a  reaction  suddenly  took 
place,  of  which  we  will  suffer  him  to  explain  the 
nature  and  the  cause  in  the  soliloquy  indulged  in 
on  the  occasion : 

"  Is  this  one  of  the  persons  whose  miseries  have 
so  strongly  operated  on  my  mind  as  to  lead  me  to 
suffer  all  I  have  undergone  in  the  hope  of  bettering 
his  condition  ?  And  can  he  be  so  well  satisfied 
with  his  lot  ?  If  so,  he  surely  needs  no  sympathy 
from  me. 

"But  I  cannot  believe  it.  He  either  sees  the 
hopelessness  of  his  condition,  or  has  been  duped 
until  he  believes  it  to  be  the  one  designed  for  him ; 
in  the  former  case  thinking  it  useless  to  seek  any 
thing  better ;  in  the  latter,  sinful.  Yet  does  not 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  57 

this  case  clearly  prove  that  the  task  I  have  imposed 
on  myself,  by  the  advice  and  assistance  of  my 
friends,  is  a  work  of  supererogation  ?  If  the  poor 
slaves  will  not  see  the  evils  surrounding  them,  or 
feel  the  miseries  which  /  so  deeply  lament,  why 
should  I  longer  incommode  myself  for  their  relief? 
And  if  one  so  enlightened  as  this  man  cannot  be 
convinced,  what  hope  is  there  for  the  mass  ?  The 
cause  had  as  well  be  abandoned."  Then,  after  a 
pause  of  a  few  moments,  he  added,  emphatically, 
"I  will  return  home  /" 

Overcome  by  the  emotions  thus  excited,  he  seated 
himself  at  the  foot  of  an  ancient  tree,  his  face 
buried  in  his  hands,  in  deep  meditation.  At  length 
his  whole  being  seemed  to  undergo  a  change,  as, 
rising  to  his  feet,  he  exclaimed : 

"  Humanity  demands  it.  "What  though  my  ex- 
ertions are  not,  at  present,  appreciated  by  those  for 
whose  benefit  they  are  put  forth?  What  though 
their  minds  are  too  much  benighted  to  understand 
my  kindness  ?  I  labor  for  the  good  of  my  race ; 
and  though  I  may  effect  nothing  immediately,  in 
the  behalf  of  these  oppressed  beings,  by  my  own 
intercourse  with  them,  I  will  at  least  furnish  to  my 
friends  a  true  statement  of  their  condition,  and  the 
means  by  which  they  can  hereafter  accomplish  the 
great  object  we  have  in  view." 


58  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

His  soliloquizing  was  interrupted  by  the  unex- 
pected presence  of  an  object  which  would  have 
driven  away  his  late  despondent  feelings,  even 
though  his  better  nature  had  not  already  achieved 
this  triumph.  This  was  a  negro,  bearing  in  his  out- 
ward appearance  a  nearer  approximation  to  that 
state  of  degradation  which  Justus  had  ever  delighted 
to  picture  to  himself  as  the  condition  of  the  slave ; 
and,  for  this  reason,  it  was  the  most  pleasing  one, 
to  him,  that  he  had  encountered  for  some  days, 
possibly  since  leaving  Boston. 

The  negro  was  illy  clad,  and  his  whole  outer  man 
seemed  to  indicate  that  he  was  rather  low  in  the 
scale  of  moral  being — far  from  possessing  the  intel- 
lectuality of  Uncle  Moses — and,  withal,  in  no  very 
amiable  state  of  mind,  as  shown  by  his  sullen  and 
discontented  demeanor. 

"Ah !"  thought  the  man  of  pity,  "here  is  a  poor, 
degraded  wretch,  who  will  thankfully  receive  any 
instruction  or  suggestion  calculated  to  improve  his 
hapless  lot.  And  how  many  thousands  are  there  in 
the  same  condition  !  !N"o,  Carolus,  it  will  never  do 
to  yield  to  a  slight  discouragement.  Success  now 
begins  to  dawn;  and  here,  no  doubt,  is  a  whole 
treasury  of  items  to  be  acquired,  of  wrong,  injustice, 
and  oppression." 

The  one  idea  now  present  to  the  mind  of  Justus 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  59 

was,  to  gain  an  insight  into  the  cause  of  this  slave's 
apparent  trouble,  the  manner  of  his  treatment  in 
general — to  learn  any  thing,  in  short,  in  the  power 
of  the  other  to  communicate,  bearing  in  any  manner 
on  his  own  peculiar  calling.  He  did  not  for  a  mo- 
ment reflect  on  the  circumstance  of  his  being  a  free 
man,  one  of  a  superior  class,  about  to  address  an 
inferior,  a  slave,  who  knew  nothing  of  the  refine- 
ments of  polite  society.  He  merely,  as  a  philan- 
thropist, saw  before  him  a  suffering  fellow-being. 

"  My  dear  sir,  may  I  be  so  bold  as  to  ask  what 
cause  of  discontent  sits  so  heavily  at  your  heart? 
It  is  true  you  may  think  it  rude  and  unbecoming 
in  me  thus  to  accost  you,  an  entire  stranger;  but 
let  an  ardent  desire  to  alleviate  the  woes  of  the 
suffering  plead  my  excuse  for  this  breach  of  deco- 
rum. And  be  assured,  sir,  if  your  trouble  is  of 
such  a  nature  that  the  aid  or  sympathy  of  a  friend 
can  avail  any  thing,  you  may  command  my  ser- 
vices." 

At  the  commencement  of  the  salutation,  darkey 
raised  his  head,  to  observe  to  whom  the  gentleman 
was  speaking ;  but,  seeing  no  other  person  present, 
he  was  bewildered,  not  imagining  himself  to  be  the 
one  addressed  as  "My  dear  sir,"  and  comprehending 
very  little  else  of  what  was  said.  There  he  stood, 
with  open  mouth,  gazing  at  the  stranger,  at  a  loss 


60  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

for  his  meaning,  and  wondering  if  it  were  not  some 
madman,  from  whom  it  might  be  as  well  to  make 
his  escape.  Nor  was  Justus  himself  less  confused 
than  his  sable  friend.  What  did  the  man  mean  ? 
"Why  did  he  not  answer  his  kind  interrogatory  ?  Or 
had  he  not  heard  ?  ]STo,  he  must  be  deaf.  But  why 
did  he  not  speak  ?  Justus  was  forced  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  poor  man  was  mute ;  and,  this  settled 
in  his  mind,  he  was  in  the  act  of  turning  away,  at 
the  same  time  exclaiming,  "Poor  fellow !" 

Then  darkey  found  the  use  of  his  tongue : 

"  What  for  massah  make  fun  of  puoh  nigga  dis 
way?" 

Justus  was  now  in  his  turn  at  a  nonplus.  Totally 
ignorant  of  the  negro's  meaning,  he  replied: 

"  O,  sir,  you  mistake  very  much :  nothing  is 
farther  from  my  thoughts  than  to  make  fun  of  you." 

Another  very  awkward  pause  succeeded — darkey 
waiting  to  hear  what  the  stranger  had  to  say  for 
himself,  and  Justus  wondering  why  his  kind  ques- 
tion was  not  answered.  The  negro  having  discov- 
ered that  Justus's  designs  were  friendly,  broke  the 
silence  by  asking — 

"  What  you  want,  masta  ?" 

All  Justus's  former  address  was  entirely  lost,  and 
he  was  compelled  to  renew  the  effort  to  gain  the 
desired  information. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  61 

"I  simply  asked,"  said  he,  "what  is  the  cause  of 
the  gloom  that  is  settled  upon  your  brow?" 

Darkey  hung  his  head  for  a  moment,  his  fingers 
busily  engaged  in  the  wool  thereof;  then,  raising 
his  eyes  to  the  face  of  the  questioner,  replied : 

"  I  dunno  what  dat  is." 

"What  is  the  matter  with  you?"  said  the  abo- 
litionist, who  now  heartily  wished  himself  in  Bos- 
ton, or -almost  anywhere  else,  and  who  was,  for  the 
moment,  well-nigh  freed  from  all  desire  to  learn 
any  thing  in  regard  to  Southern  institutions. 

"Duraint  nuf'n  de  matter  of  me:  does  I  look 
like  dur  was?" 

"  There  are  indications  of  despondency  or  melan- 
choly in  your  air,  the  cause  of  which  I  could  not 
fathom." 

"  Sah  ?"  with  still  open  mouth. 

Justus  was  now  fairly  disgusted  with  the  negro, 
and  scarcely  less  so  at  himself;  yet  he  resolved  by 
one  more  effort  to  satisfy  himself  whether  or  not 
darkey  could  understand  English  in  any  thing 
more  than  its  rudiments.  He  rejoined: 

"You  have  a  moody,  downcast  expression  of 
countenance,  which  led  me  to  suppose  there  was 
some  grief  preying  on  your  mind ;  and  I  would 
consider  myself  as  under  obligations  to  you  if  you 
would  make  me  acquainted  with  the  cause." 


62  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

"Ef  you'll  jis'  tell  me  what  dat  means,  so  I  can 
understand  it,  I'll  tell  you  all  'bout  it." 

"You  look  mad  or  sorry,  one:  what  is  the  mat- 
ter with  you?" 

Justus  hoped  he  had  at  last  reached  the  capacity 
of  the  slave ;  and,  in  so  far,  he  was  not  disap- 
pointed. But  darkey  had  never  known  his  varia- 
tions of  humor  to  excite  so  much  interest  on  any 
former  occasion,  and  was  at  a  loss  to  comprehend 
the  meaning  of  the  gentleman's  solicitude. 

"  Does  I  ?"  he  asked,  after  due  reflection.  "  Well, 
I  dunno  as  I  can  tell  what 's  de  matter.  E"uf 'n 
'tik'lar  aint  de  matter." 

"You  are  not  well  treated  by  your  master,  are 
you?" 

"Well,  I  dunno,  mastah;  'bout's  good's  com- 
mon, I  reckon." 

"You  are  abused,  are  you  not? — whipped?" 

"  0  no,  sah,  nebah  whipped  !" 

"Are  you  well  fed?    Do  you  get  plenty  to  eat?" 

"Plenty,  sah." 

"  But  I  see  your  master  does  not  treat  you  well 
in  one  respect :  he  does  not  allow  you  a  sufficiency 
of  suitable  clothes."  But  observing  the  vacant 
stare  of  the  negro,  indicating  his  lack  of  under- 
standing of  the  language  employed,  he  continued  : 
"  He  dresses  you  very  badly." 


THE     YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E.  63 

"  Mas'  "Willum  gib  me  plenty  o'  good  ebery-day 
clothes,  sah ;  but  you  see  he  want  to  git  rich,  an' 
he  's  right  savin'.  So  I  do  n't  git 's  much  time  to 
work  for  myself 's  some  niggas  does.  He  aint 's 
good  'bout  dis  as  ole  mastah  was,  an'  sometimes  I 
gits  mad  'bout  it.  But  in  ebery  ting  else  he  's  bery 
good  to  me ;  an'  I  do  n't  know  as  I  oughter  be 
mad  :  he  works  hisself 's  hard  's  I  does." 

"Would  you  not  like  to  be  free,  my  friend — to 
be  able  to  have  all  your  time  to  yourself,  to  employ 
it  as  you  please?" 

"Yes,  indeed,  sah!  ef  I  could  on'y  do  it,  an' 
be  's  good  's  anybody  else ;  but  dat,  you  know,  's 
what  we  can't  do  'mongst  de  white  folks." 

"  Well,  would  you  not  like  to  go  North,  to  a  free 
State?" 

"Does  white  folks  live  dar,  massah?" 

"  0,  yes  !  I  'm  from  there." 

"Well,  ef  I  'as  dar,  could  I  be  good  's  dem?" 

"  Surely  you  could ;  or,  at  least,  you  would  be  a 
free  man,  and  no  one  could  have  the  right  to 
tyrannize  over  you." 

"  I  'spec'  I  could  n't  git  dar,  dough ;  an',  any- 
how, I  b'lebe  I  'd  rather  stay  heah :  it  suits  me  bet- 
ter dan  to  go  Norf." 

Without  committing  himself  any  further,  Jus- 
tus, being  satisfied  that  this  was  not  a  person  suited 


64  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

to  his  purpose,  passed  on  to  his  place  of  conceal- 
ment. 

The  sermon  was  a  warm  and  fervent  discourse 
on  the  practical  duties  of  religion,  and  differed 
from  the  best  efforts  the  concealed  listener  had 
heard  in  other  places  only  in  its  plain  and  unaffected 
simplicity,  which,  judging  from  the  intense  interest 
of  the  auditory,  reached  at  once  their  understand- 
ing and  their  hearts. 

At  the  close  of  the  regular  services,  the  minis- 
ter announced  that  he  would  hold  a  class-meeting, 
and  those  who  did  not  wish  to  remain  were  now  at 
liberty  to  retire.  This  information  was  received  by 
Justus  with  great  satisfaction,  as  he  felt  assured  he 
would  now  hear  in  the  rather  private  instruction  of 
the  preacher  what  he  had  in  vain  looked  for  in  his 
pulpit  ministration.  The  greater  part  of  the  con- 
gregation remained,  and  the  proceedings  began  by 
the  preacher  informing  them  that  the  object  was  to 
have  a  religious  conversation  with  as  many  of  them 
as  the  time  allotted  would  allow.  After  some  gen- 
eral remarks  on  the  benefits  of  such  a  course,  and  a 
few  words  in  regard  to  his  own  experience,  he  in- 
terrogated a  number  as  to  their  knowledge  and  en- 
joyments of  religion.  Their  replies  were  sensible 
and  direct,  and,  though  evincing  an  ignorance  of 
language,  displayed  a  knowledge  of  that  which  is 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  65 

far  better — the  peace  and  comfort  enjoyed  as  the 
benefits  of  the  gospel.  And  whatever  former  views 
the  abolitionist  may  have  held  in  regard  to  the  con- 
tentment and  happiness  found  in  slavery,  the  fact 
was  now  unquestionably  before  him,  that  some  at 
least  enjoyed  these  blessings  in  a  large  degree. 

The  faithful  preacher  had  a  kind  word  for  every 
individual.  To  the  careless,  the  great  importance 
of  spiritual  concerns  was  earnestly  urged,  while  the 
earnest,  humble  Christian  was  affectionately  exhorted 
to  continued  faithfulness. 

Despite  his  prejudices,  Justus  for  a  while  forgot 
his  immediate  object,  and  felt  himself  carried  away 
by  the  spirit  of  the  scene  before  him.  The  warm 
and  fervent  manner  of  the  minister  for  the  good  of 
the  slave  surprised  him  ;  for  he  had  never  before 
conceived  that,  in  his  degradation  and  bonds,  any 
one  cared  for  the  spiritual  benefit  of  the  poor  South- 
ern negro ;  but  he  learned,  in  the  course  of  the  pro- 
ceedings on  hand,  that  the  present  and  kindred  ex- 
ercises were  in  regular  and  constant  use,  and  the 
well-instructed  and  carefully  guarded  morals  of  the 
present  assemblage  could  not,  in  his  estimation,  fail 
to  secure  the  best  practicable  results. 

The  minister  himself,  from  education,  had  once 
been  an  abolitionist,  but  proper  experience  dissipat- 
ing false  principles,  he  esteemed  it  his  happiest 


66  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

privilege  to  offer  to  the  slave,  whose  pastor  he  was, 
the  consolations  of  religion. 

The  services  over,  Justus  did  not  lose  sight  of 
another  motive  in  attending  the  negro  meeting, 
which  was  to  find  some  slave  more  tractable  than 
either  Moses  or  Darkey,  whose  benighted  mind  he 
might  enlighten,  or  from  whom  receive  valuable  in- 
formation touching  the  object  of  his  quest.  And 
now  fortune  for  once  seemed  to  favor  him :  the 
slave  he  at  this  time  encountered  having  fresh  in 
his  memory  a  recent  correction  for  his  misdeeds. 
From  this  cause  he  \vas  found  by  Justus  in  a  proper 
state  of  mind  to  render  him  pervious  to  any  attempt 
on  his  fidelity. 

Justus  was  not  long  in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of 
this  fact. 

"The  inhuman  wretch!"  he  indignantly  ex- 
claimed. "I  suppose  you  were  unable  to  perform 
the  onerous  task  assigned  you,  and  must  for  this 
reason  be  brutally  whipped  !" 

"Hall?"  queried  Sambo,  with  vacant  stare  arid 
open  mouth. 

"Did  your  master  whip  you  because  you  could 
not  do  the  task  he  gave  you  ?" 

"  0,  no,  sah !  Mas  Tom  neber  do  dat ;  I  don't 
much  like  to  work,  's  true,  but  he  neber  whip  me 
for  dat." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  67 

"  "What  other  paltry  offence  may  you  have  com- 
mitted, then,  that  he  should  visit  upon  you  such  un- 
warrantable and  atrocious  punishment?", 

"Sah?" 

"What  did  you  do,  that  caused  your  master  to 
punish  you  in  this  manner?" 

""Why,  mastah,  you  see  I  did  n't  do  nuf'n,  but  jis 
tuck  a  little  bit  o'  meat." 

"  0,  yes  !  he  will  starve  you,  and  if  you  help  your- 
self to  a  little  of  that  which  is  justly  your  own,  it  is 
a  crime  worthy  the  most  degrading  punishment  he 
can  inflict." 

"No,  no,  mastah  !  he  no  starb  me ;  Mas  Tom  gib 
me  jis  's  much  's  I  wants  to  eat." 

"Why  did  you  take  your  master's  meat,  then, 
Sambo,  if  you  are  so  well  fed?" 

"Not  Mas  Tom's  meat,  sah ;  it  was  Miss  Polly's." 

"And  who  is  Miss  Polly  ?" 

"Why,  de  Widow  Hill,  dat  libs  close  to  Mas 
Tom's." 

"  Why  did  you  take  the  meat,  Sambo,  if  you  did 
not  need  it  to  eat  ?" 

"I  jis  wanted  de  money  I  could  git  for  it,  mas- 
tah. I  reckon  I  done  wrong ;  but  dey  need  n't  a 
whipped  me  'bout  it." 

"No,  indeed,  not  at  all.  You  did  wrong  to  take 
the  meat  in  that  way ;  but  why  could  not  your  mas- 


G8  THE    YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E  -D  E  A  L  E  R. 

ter  pay  for  it,  and  give  you  the  money  you  need,  or 
buy  sucli  things  as  you  require,  that  you  may  not  be 
subjected  to  such  temptations?  This  would  surely 
be  as  little  as  he  could  do." 

"  Mas  Tom  does  buy  me  ebery  ting  I  needs ;  but 
sometimes  I  wants  to  git  some  little  extry  tricks  for 
Sunday,  or  somef 'n  else.  Mos'  on  us  has  a  little 
patch  o'  taters,  or  watermillons,  or  somef 'n  o'  de 
kind ;  but  I  has  to  work  'nuff  anyhow,  an'  I'd  ru- 
ther  git  de  tings  I  wants  some  easier  way  dan 
dat." 

"  Well,  Sa*mbo,  would  you  not  like  to  leave  your 
master,  and  be  free — to  be  out  of  reach  of  any  one, 
and  have  all  your  time  to  yourself,  to  do  just  what 
you  please?" 

"  Yes,  indeed,  sah  !  ef  I  could  jis  do  it;  but  dat 's 
wot  I  can't  do,  no  way  't  all." 

"  Yes,  you  might  even  do  that,  Sambo ;  and  if 
you  will  only  listen  to  me,  and  be  governed  by  what 
I  say,  I  might  be  able  to  render  you  important  aid 
in  the  matter,  and  put  you  in  a  way  to  gain  your 
freedom." 

In  his  excitement,  Justus  had  gone  far  beyond 
his  original  designs ;  for  when  the  conversation 
with  Sambo  began,  he  had  not  the  remotest  inten- 
tions of  making  such  a  suggestion,  being  wholly 
unprepared  at  the  time  to  carry  out  any  measure  of 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  69 

this  kind.  But  he  was  urged  on  by  favorable 
omens  in  a  cause  in  which  his  inclinations  led  him 
to  improve  every  opportunity  of  accomplishing 
what  he  considered  good  to  the  slave.  To  his 
speech,  however,  Sambo  replied : 

"How  I  gwine  to  do  dis,  mastah?  I  might  run 
away ;  but  den  dey  'd  catch  me  'gin ;  an'  even  if 
day  did  n't,  w'at  kin'  o  life  'd  I  lead  ?  No,  no, 
mastah ;  I  'spec'  de  bes'  ting  'ud  be  for  me  to  stay 
heah,  an'  do  better." 

"  No,  Sambo,  you  need  not  necessarily  be  taken, 
even  though  you  should  run  away.  You  could 
make  your  way  to  a  free  State,  where  they  will 
never  be  able  to  find  you,  or  where,  at  least,  should 
they  do  so,  we  can  find  means  to  evade  their  infa- 
mous fugitive  slave  law,  and  secure  you  in  the  pos- 
session of  your  freedom." 

Here  he  indulged  in  a  short  tirade  against  the 
aforesaid  law,  which  would  be  no  more  interesting 
to  the  reader  than  intelligible  to  the  negro. 

"If,"  he  continued,  "you  will  only  consent  to 
accompany  me  on  my  return  home,  I  will  conduct 
you  to  freedom  and  happiness." 

"Well  now,  mastah,  ef  you  jis  promises  to  do 
dat,  Sambo  's  ready  to  go  wid  you,  any  time." 

This  seemed  to  be  accomplishing  something  defi- 
nite; but  as  the  time  for  Justus's  return  had  not 


70  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

yet  arrived,  some  concerted  measures  must  be 
taken  by  which  each  might  regulate  his  conduct. 

But  ere  these  preliminaries  were  arranged,  their 
deliberations  were  very  unceremoniously  inter- 
rupted. The  sensations  of  the  unsuspecting  plot- 
ters may  be  imagined,  when  Mr.  Blanton  and  posse 
confronted  them.  Mr.  McMinime,  Sambo's  master, 
first  spoke,  addressing  that  worthy : 

"  So  you  are  tired  of  your  situation,  and  intend 
to  leave  us,  hey?  Well,  good-bye,  and  success 
attend  you."  Then  regarding  Justus  with  a 
searching  glance,  he  thus  addressed  him  :  "And  as 
for  you,  sir,  I  would  be  glad  to  know  by  what 
authority  or  right  you  are  acting,  and  on  what 
ground  you  justify  your  conduct  in  thus  unjustly 
seeking  to  deprive  me  of  my  property  ?  I  presume 
you  are  aware  you  have  been  taken  in  the  com- 
mission of  a  heinous  offence  against  law?" 

The  sudden  appearance  of  his  visitors  very  much 
disconcerted  Justus ;  but  he  had  now  regained  his 
self-possession.  Proudly  drawing  himself  up,  as 
though  fully  impressed  with  the  nobleness  of  his 
calling,  he  answered : 

"Were  you  an  impartial  judge,  sir,  I  would  leave 
it  to  yourself  to  say  which  has  committed,  or  is 
committing,  the  greater  wrong :  you,  in  subjecting 
this  man  to  hopeless  slavery ;  or  I,  who  have  simply 


THE    YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E.  71 

instructed  him  that  there  is  a  state  of  freedom  to 
which  he  may  aspire.  But  I  would  simply  ask  you, 
by  what  shadow  of  a  right  do  you  take  it  upon  you 
to  make  property  of  your  fellow-beings — enslaving 
them,  both  soul  and  body?" 

"Your  insolence  is  equalled  only  by  your  villainy. 
But  such  language  will  not  bear  repetition.  You 
have  been  more  closely  watched,  perhaps,  than  you 
expected,  and  we  desire  no  better  knowledge  of 
your  character.  In  regard  to  my  boy,  Sambo  here, 
whose  mind  you  have  corrupted,  and  whose  discon- 
tent so  much  increased,  I  know  not  how  to  act; 
but  we  have  merely  to  inform  you  that  we  cannot 
tolerate  such  a  man  in  our  midst ;  and  if  you  have 
any  regard  to  your  own  well-being,  you  will  imme- 
diately leave,  not  only  the  county,  but  this  portion 
of  the  State.  We  give  you  a  half  hour;  and 
if,  after  that  time,  you  are  found  within  the 
limits  of  this  camp-ground,  expect  to  be  roughly 
handled." 

Thus  speaking,  he,  with  his  companions,  turned 
to  depart,  when  all  were  surprised  to  hear  a  voice, 
from  the  bushy  top  of  an  oak  near  by,  exclaim  : 

"Yes,  and  will  give  him  a  pretty  strong  argu- 
ment in  favor  of  that  move  now !" 

Then  several  figures  were  seen  swiftly  gliding 
down  a  grape-vine  depending  from  the  limb  of  said 


72  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

tree ;  and  some  half  dozen  young  men  surrounded 
the  now  half-stupefied  man  of  humanity. 

"  We  will  find  means  to  evade  the  infamous  fugi- 
tive slave  law!"  said  one,  mockingly;  while  each, 
in  chorus,  saluted  him  with  a  quotation  from  his 
recent  conversation  with  the  negro.  The  leader  of 
the  newly-arrived  party  then  addressed  the  victim 
in  a  tone  of  mock  respect  and  gravity,  lauding  his 
disinterested  philanthropy,  and  eulogizing  the  mag- 
nanimity of  his  conduct. 

"But,"  continued  he,  "it  is  a  pity  such  generous 
behavior  cannot  meet  with  proper  appreciation ; 
for,  notwithstanding  our  exalted  opinion  of  your 
merits,  we  are  forced  slightly  to  differ  with  you  in 
opinion.  Yet,"  changing  his  tone,  "this  disagree- 
ment may  prove  a  serious  matter.  You  have  heard 
the  sentence  pronounced  by  these  gentlemen,  and 
we  fully  agree  with  them.  Only,  considering  their 
verdict  too  mild,  we  intend  to  affix  some  present 
penalty ;  and,  as  the  most  appropriate  we  can  devise 
at  the  moment,  you  may  prepare  yourself  for  a  ride 
on  a  rail  and  a  plunge  in  the  creek.  Allow  me  to 
call  your  attention  to  the  arm  of  yon  oak:  it  is 
lofty,  and  a  fall  from  it  might  endanger  your  neck. 
From  this  hint,  understand  that  it  will  become  you 
to  hurry  your  departure  so  soon  as  you  shall  have 
gone  through  the  proposed  ordeal ;  for,  should  you 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  73 

be  found  here  after  the  expiration  of  the  allotted 
time,  your  descent  from  that  limb  will  not  be  quite 
so  pleasant  as  that  you  have  just  witnessed.  In 
justice,  you  would  not  have  the  privilege  of  getting 
off  so  well;  but  in  courtesy  to  these  older  gentle- 
men, who  have  dealt  so  mildly  with  you,  we  will 
suffer  their  judgment  to  stand."  ' 

Justus  had  no  reply  to  make.  He  did  not  oppose 
any  objection  to  the  measure  they  had  determined 
on.  Seeing  the  utter  hopelessness  of  influencing 
their  minds,  and  believing  himself  a  real  martyr  in 
the  cause  of  humanity,  he  scorned  to  exhibit  so 
much  weakness  as  to  plead  to  his  "tyrannical  op- 
pressors." 

Though  his  former  assailants  undertook  his  de- 
fence, the  young  men  were  inexorable.  "Allow  me 
a  few  words  with  him  in  private,"  said  McMinime ; 
after  which  remarking,  "Perhaps  he  may  be  the 
better  of  such  a  lesson,  boys ;  but  do  not  be  need- 
lessly rude,"  he,  with  his  company,  returned  to  the 
camp. 

Their  departure  was  the  signal  for  the  youthful 
party  to  throw  off  all  restraint,  and  the  mirth  in- 
dulged in  at  Justus's  expense  was  quite  boisterous. 

Leaving  them  to  the  completion  of  their  under- 
taking, we  will  accompany  our  returning  friends. 


74  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE    COMPACT. 
"Weel,  weel,  says  I,  a  bargain  be't." 

THE  silence  maintained  by  McMiuime  and  his 
friend,  as  they  wended  their  way  back,  joined  to 
their  abstracted  manner,  would  have  been  evidence 
to  a  stranger  that  they  were  not  entirely  at  ease  in 
their  minds.  It  was  plain,  however,  that  McMinime 
was  more  anxiously  concerned  than  the  other.  His 
last  interview  with  Justus  may  perhaps  have  some 
connection  with  this  state  of  feeling.  However 
this  may  be,  before  he  had  reached  the  encamp- 
ment, his  trouble  was  at  an  end,  and  he  moved  on 
with  the  air  of  one  who  has  just  settled  a  long- 
debated  and  perplexing  question. 

Sambo,  at  the  earliest  opportunity,  had  deserted 
his  new  friend,  leaving  him  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the 
incensed  master's  ire  as  best  he  might ;  arid,  should 
we  chance  to  meet  with  him  at  the  present  time, 
we  could  not  decide  whether  his  distress  were 


o 

THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  75 

« 

chiefly  on  account  of  the  frustration  of  the  well- 
devised  plan  of  escape,  or  apprehensions  of  personal 
indignities  that  might,  in  all  probability,  be  offered 
him,  in  the  way  of  punishment  for  what  he  had 
attempted. 

Some  of  his  thoughts  on  this  subject  he  thus  ab- 
stractedly embodied  in  words : 

"Well,  dat  be  one  nice  man,  anyway.  He  feel 
for  poah  servant.  He  do  n't  mean  no  harm,  foh  he 
can't  make  nuf 'ri  foh  hisself  by  it,  and  he 's  runnin' 
heap  o'  risk  too.  But  wouldn't  I  like  to  go  'long, 
dough  !  But  dat 's  all  done  broke  up  now.  Wish 
I  could  go,  anyhow,  shoah — I  does.  I'd  like  to  know 
what  in  the  worF  Mas'  Tom's  a  doin'  dar.  Mebbe 
he  'spected  somef'n." 

It  was  during  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  that 
two  gentlemen  might  have  been  seen  proceeding 
from  the  camp -ground,  in  the  direction  of  the 
preaching-place  for  the  blacks,  followed  by  a  negro 
carrying  a  small  bundle. 

The  object  of  the  party  may  be  explained  by  the 
conversation  in  which  they  were  engaged. 

"  I  know,  Mac,  you're  of  sufficient  age  to  conduct 
your  own  affairs,  without  the  aid  of  my  instruction 
or  advice.  Still,  if  you  will  pardon  the  familiarity 
of  an  old  friend,  I  must  tell  you  that,  in  my  opinion, 
you  are  about  doing  a  very  unwise  thing." 


76  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"Well,  'Squire,  I  suppose  it  does  seeni  foolish? 
and  may  perhaps  be  so ;  yet  I  think  not,  under  the 
circumstances.  You  are  well  aware  I  long  since 
wished  to  be  rid  of  some  of  my  slaves,  who,  from 
the  first,  have  only  been  a  source  of  trouble,  and 
have  not  done  so  only  because  I  thought  I  could 
not,  and  do  either  myself  or  them  justice.  My  ex- 
perience has  convinced  me  they  need  a  protector ; 
and,  fearing  they  might  fall  into  bad  hands,  I  have 
shrunk  from  the  very  thought  of  selling  them. 
But  here  is  an  opportunity  to  experiment  on  another 
plan.  You  well  know  the  worthlessness  of  Sambo, 
and  of  his  dishonesty  I  need  not  speak.  You,  as 
well  as  others,  have  received  many  proofs  of  that 
fact,  by  the  peculations  made  on  you  personally,  or, 
rather,  in  the  person  of  your  meat-house,  hen-roost, 
etc.,  if  you  will  allow  me  the  use  of  such  a  figure." 

"All  this  is  true  enough.  But  do  you  not  think 
there  would  be  more  probability  of  the  fellow  doing 
some  good  by  being  restrained,  under  proper  author- 
ity ?  Turn  him  out  in  the  world  without  control, 
and  the  first  thing  he  does  may  be  to  get  himself 
disgraced  and  punished  for  his  depredations  on  the 
public.  Apart  from  his  propensity  to  appropriate 
to  his  own  use  things  on  which  he  has  no  claim,  he 
is  utterly  incompetent  to  take  care  of  himself. 
And  more  than  this,  how  do  you  know  that  Mr. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  77 

Abolition  means  to  do  the  thing  that  is  right  about 
him?" 

"I  am  very  well  aware  of  the  truth  of  what  you 
say  ;  and  as  for  Mr.  Abolition,  as  you  call  him,  I  do 
not  intend  to  put  Sambo  under  his  charge  without 
binding  him  pretty  strongly  to  act  honestly,  and  to 
see  that  his  wants  are  provided  for,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent. But  the  boy,  with  the  aid  of  this  gentleman, 
has  taken  a  notion  to  want  to  be  free,  and  I  have 
determined  to  gratify  him  for  once,  and  let  him 
make  trial  of  that  state  with  which  he  has  so 
fallen  in  love.  This,  I  think,  is  the  best  I  can  do 
with  him." 

"Perhaps,"  said  the  other;  "but  I  cannot  think 
so.  And  by  the  way,  I  do  not  like  the  idea  of  let- 
ting Mr.  Abolition  off  so  easily :  he  has  been  guilty 
of  an  offence  against  the  laws,  and  we  might  be 
charged  with  complicity,  which  would  be  rather  an 
ugly  affair." 

"  So  it  might ;  but  I  have  taken  it  into  my  head 
that  to  let  him  off  thus  is  the  best  thing  we  can  do 
for  ourselves,  as  well  as  for  him.  He  has  done  no 
real  harm  yet,  and,  if  allowed  to  escape  now,  will 
soon  acquire  a  better  judgment,  for  which  he  has 
not  hitherto  had  opportunities.  I  know  we  might 
inflict  on  him  the  penalty  he  has  so  justly  incurred, 
had  we  suffered  him  to  proceed  further  in  his  design ; 


78  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

but  he  can  do  us  no  harm,  and  I  wish  to  see  what 
will  become  of  him." 

The  other  merely  replied,  "  So  be  it ;"  then  con- 
tinued, "Here  is  the  place." 

They  had  reached  the  spot  from  which  Justus  had 
been  taken  but  a  short  time  before  by  his  unex- 
pected visitors.  Here  they  found  him  again,  with 
no  visible  traces  upon  him  of  the  ordeal  through 
which  he  had  so  recently  passed.  Yet  deeply  fixed 
in  his  heart  was  the  remembrance  of  what  he  con- 
sidered his  unjust  and  cruel  usage ;  and  upon  his 
tablets  had  been  duly  inscribed  an  account  of  the 
"infamous  transaction,"  as  a  most  convincing  proof 
of  the  demoralizing  nature  of  "Southern  slavery." 
So  deep  and  so  bitter  were  his  reflections  on  the 
subject,  that  the  approach  of  the  others  in  nowise 
disturbed  him,  though  it  was  evident  he  was  only 
waiting  their  coming. 

The  voice  of  McMinime  roused  him  from  his 
revery.  "  My  business  with  you  at  this  time,  sir,"  he 
began,  "  is  of  some  importance.  I  presume  your 
feelings  are  very  much  enlisted  in  the  welfare  of  this 
boy  of  mine?" 

"  It  is  true,  sir,  I  did  commiserate  his  hapless  lot, 
and  would  have  considered  myself  amply  repaid  for 
all  I  have  suffered,  yea,  and  much  more,  could  I 
only  have  succeeded  in  improving  his  condition. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  79 

But  you  need  be  under  no  further  apprehension  ;  I 
am  ready  to  carry  out  your  orders,  and  have  only 
awaited  you  here,  in  accordance  with  your  request." 

"Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  other,  not  noticing  the 
concluding  sentence  of  this  reply;  "and  do  you  not 
know  that,  in  the  attempt  to  accomplish  this  pur- 
pose, you  have  made  yourself  liable  to  suffer  the 
penalty  of  the  law  ?  But  this  is  foreign  to  the  mat- 
ter in  hand,  and  has  been  discussed  long  since. 
And  now,  to  come  to  the  point  at  once,  as  you  are 
willing  to  undergo  so  much  for  Sambo,  and  as  I  wish 
him  to  have  a  taste  of  that  freedom  with  the  thought 
of  which  you  have  inspired  him.  how  can  you  sa- 
tisfy me  that  your  intention  is  or  was  to  act  in  good 
faith  toward  the  boy :  in  other  words,  what  pledge 
are  you  willing  to  leave  with  me  that  you  will  do 
with  him  according  to  agreement,  if  I  should  put 
him  under  your  care,  to  be  conducted  into  a  free 
State,  and  assisted  into  a  business  of  some  kind  ?" 

Being  unprepared  for  such  a  proposal,  and  not 
entirely  satisfied  as  to  the  manner  in  which  it  should 
be  received,  he  replied — 

"  I  know  not  what  pledge  would  satisfy  you  ;  yet 
if  you  are  sincere,  and " 

"You  need  not  doubt  that,"  interrupted  the 
other ;  "  I  mean  just  what  I  say  ;  I  want  the  discon- 
tented rascal  off  my  hands,  and  if  we  can  only  agree 


80  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

on  the  terms,  he  is  ready  at  once  to  accompany  you 
to  freedom  and  happiness." 

"  The  opportunity  of  performing  so  benevolent  an 
action  I  would  be  happy  to  embrace ;  and  if  I  can 
give  you  any  assurance  that  he  shall  be  properly 
cared  for,  it  shall  be  done.  But  I  suspect  the  con- 
ditions of  his  accompanying  me  entirely  preclude 
the  thought  of  my  undertaking  the  pleasing  task, 
for  I  have  it  not  in  my  power  to  offer  any  thing  as 
security.  I  have  been  long  from  home,  and  have 
received  no  remittance  up  to  this  time,  and  our 
travelling  expenses  alone  would  be  as  heavy  a  draw 
as  my  present  resources  would  bear.  It  is  with  no 
ordinary  degree  of  sorrow  I  find  myself  thus  cir- 
cumstanced ;  for  such  a  charitable  act  I  cannot  hope 
again  to  meet  with  the  opportunity  of  doing." 

"  Do  not  mistake  me,  sir.  I  do  not  demand  any 
thing  like  the  value  of  the  boy;  but  simply  wish 
to  retain  something  valuable  as  a  spur  to  your  dili- 
gence, which  you  can  recover  when  you  shall  have 
performed  your  contract.  And  though  I  do  nqt  wish 
to  barter  him,  yet  were  I  to  receive  a  pledge  of  his 
full  value,  I  would  feel  satisfied  that  you  had  a 
powerful  motive,  independently  of  your  humanity, 
to  act  uprightly. 

"Have  you  no  articles  of  jewelry  you  prize, 
which  you  would  yet  be  willing  to  leave  in  pledge 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E  .  81 

of  your  good  conduct  ?  You  have  no  right  to  com- 
plain of  my  want  of  implicit  confidence  in  your 
word ;  you  are  a  stranger ;  and  were  I  entirely  to 
forget  the  occurrences  of  the  day,  I  would  not  be 
justifiable  in  trusting  you  too  far,  though  not  doubt- 
ing your  honesty.  What  say  you  ?  Can  you  think 
of  nothing?" 

"Here  is  a  watch,"  replied  the  other,  at  the  same 
time  exhibiting  a  costly  article  of  the  kind  named, 
"  that  I  value  very  highly,  and  would  not  suffer  out 
of  my  hands  under  any  other  circumstances.  But 
if  this  will  satisfy  you,  let  me  hear  the  terms  with 
which  I  am  to  comply." 

"  So  far,  so  good ;  that  is  a  valuable  watch,  no 
doubt ;  but  you  are  very  wTell  aware  of  the  dispro- 
portion existing  between  the  price  of  the  boy  and 
this  timepiece,  and  should  you  be  disposed  to  make 
other  use  of  the  transfer  I  intend  to  make  to  you,  this 
would  be  no  obstacle,  as  you  could  vastly  more  than 
save  yourself.  But  my  aim  is  to  give  to  Sambo  the 
freedom  that  he  covets,  and  at  the  same  time  secure 
you  from  the  effect  of  whatever  temptation  you 
may  be  exposed  to — either  to  appropriate  him  to 
your  own  use,  or  to  fail  in  properly  providing  for 
him ;  for  I  not  only  wish  to  give  him  his  freedom, 
but  to  place  him  in  a  situation  to  support  himself 
decently.  Here,  however,  is  the  proposal  I  wish  to 


82  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

make :  leave  the  watch  with  me,  for  which  I  will 
give  you  a  receipt,  and  on  your  presenting  evidence 
that  the  contract  has  been  complied  with,  I  will  re- 
turn it.  But,  as  I  hinted  before,  that  the  intrust- 
ing of  so  valuable  a  piece  of  property  to  your  hands 
may  not  be  a  lure  to  you  to  depart  from  a  course 
of  rectitude,  I  shall  demand  from  you  the  strong- 
est assurance  a  man  of  honor  can  give,  that  you 
will  carry  out  my  wishes.  This  is  nothing  more 
nor  less  than  to  bind  yourself  under  a  solemn  oath  ; 
for  which  purpose  I  have  secured  the  services  of 
this  gentleman,  who  is  an  acting  Justice  of  the 
Peace." 

Strong  in  conscious  honesty,  Justus,  not  at  all 
disposed  to  shrink  from  the  test,  unless  the  condi- 
tions should  be  too  onerous,  simply  asked,  ""Will 
you  be  so  kind  as  to  inform  me  of  the  terms  ?  I 
shall  surely  comply  if  I  am  not  expected  to  per- 
form any  thing  unreasonable." 

"By  no  means;  but  judge  for  yourself.  You 
are  required  to  conduct  Sambo  to  a  free  State ;  to 
see  him  established  in  some  mode  of  business  by 
'which  he  can  gain  a  support.  For  this  purpose 
you  will  lay  out  the  money  I  intrust  to  your  care. 
In  any  contingency  you  are  of  course  clear ;  as,  for 
instance,  should  either  die — yourself  or  the  boy; 
yet  in  the  former  case  it  is  expected  you  will  make 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  83 

such  provision  for  him  as  circumstances  may  per- 
mit. After  discharging  this  duty,  you  are  to  pre- 
sent or  send  to  me  a  certificate,  signed  by  at  least 
three  publicly  known  and  responsible  men,  to  the 
effect  that  the  agreement  has  been  fulfilled,  or 
equally  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  death  of  the 
boy,  should  such  an  event  occur.  This  will  cancel 
all  obligation  on  your  part,  and  secure  the  restora- 
tion of  your  pledge.  Further,  to  secure  you  from 
all  danger  of  molestation  on  your  journey,  I  will 
execute  to  you  a  bill  of  sale  of  this  slave,  which 
you  are  to  bind  yourself  to  destroy,  or  return  to 
me  with  the  other  documents  when  the  occasion  for 
its  use  ceases.  Should  the  boy's  feelings  on  the 
subject  change,  the  return  of  him,  with  every  thing 
else  received  from  me,  will  release  you  from  your 
obligation,  and  entitle  you  to  the  pledge.  If  you 
can  agree  to  this,  our  matter  will  soon  be  arranged 
preparatory  to  your  departure." 

Justus  remained  silent  and  deeply  meditative  for 
some  time ;  at  length  he  replied :  "It  has  ever  been 
my  opinion  that  the  word  of  a  man  of  honor  was 
as  binding  as  his  oath :  such  at  least  I  have  always 
held  mine ;  and  to  be  thus  put  upon  my  oath  in 
regard  to  a  matter  of  mere  charity,  does  not  well  ac- 
cord with  my  views  and  feelings.  Still,  as  you  de- 
mand it,  I  cannot  see  but  that  I  may  safely  take  the 


84  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  VE-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

obligation;  though,  under  no  other  circumstances 
than  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed  would  I  as- 
sume such  a  responsibility." 

"Just  as  you  think  best  about  it;  I  wish  to  im- 
pose no  burdensome  task  on  you,  but  thinking  it 
would  be  a  source  of  gratification  for  you  to  render 
such  a  service  to  the  cause  of  humanity,  I  could 
not,  on  my  part,  be  satisfied  with  less  than  I  have 
demanded.  The  matter  is  now  at  your  disposal." 

Signifying  his  assent,  the  preliminaries  were 
speedily  arranged,  and  the  oath  administered  by 
'Squire  Brown,  with  due  solemnity. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  85 


CHAPTER    VII. 

ESCAPE    FROM     FREEDOM. 

"  The  best-laid  schemes  o'  mice  and  men 
Gang  aft  aglee." 

THE  sun  was  low  in  the  western  sky  when  Jus- 
tus, bidding  adieu  to  the  scene  of  his  late  benevo- 
lent efforts,  and  of  his  "wrongs,"  addressed  him- 
self to  his  homeward  journey,  attended  by  the  now 
liberated  Sambo.  Two  hundred  miles  of  horse- 
back travel  lay  between  him  and  the  point  of  em- 
barkation; and  difficult  as  such  a  mode  of  jour- 
neying is  of  necessity  to  one  scarcely  ever  before  in 
the  saddle,  the  hardship  seemed  doubled  when  he 
remembered  that  but  one  horse  remained  for  the 
two  travellers.  Sambo's  master,  wisely  thinking  a 
better  conveyance  than  the  sturdy  legs  of  the  ath- 
letic negro  a  useless  luxury,  had  made  no  other 
provision  for  the  journey  of  that  individual  than 
to  place  in  the  hands  of  Justus  funds  sufficient  for 
the  expenses  of  the  trip. 

Deprecating  the  necessity  for  the  inequality  be- 


86  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

tween  them,  and  determined  it  should  not  long  ex- 
ist, Justus  hastily  mounted  and  led  the  way,  his 
protege  briskly  following,  relieved  of  his  pack, 
which  had  been  transferred  to  the  capacious  saddle- 
bags of  his  new  master. 

From  sympathy  with  the  toiling  negro  behind, 
the  mind  of  the  abolitionist  went  back  to  the  inci- 
dents connected  with  his  present  position.  Closely 
was  his  conduct  reviewed,  and  he  could  not  but 
condemn  the  hasty  zeal  which  led  him  to  violate 
his  own  originally  formed  purpose,  frustrating  his 
well-laid  plan,  involving  him  in  disgrace  and  pun- 
ishment, and  forcing  him  from  his  field  of  observa- 
tion. 

This  materially  affected  the  prospects  of  his  forth- 
coming book,  and  the  conclusion  was  forced  upon 
him  that,  for  the  present,  it  must  remain  unwritten. 
Still,  he  reflected,  "  Though  nothing  has  yet  been 
gained  in  regard  to  that  particular  matter,  the 
present  movement  is  merely  an  episode  in  my  great 
measure,  and,  Sambo  disposed  of,  I  will  return  and 
prosecute  the  work  to  a  speedy  issue." 

Deeply  absorbed  in  these  reflections,  he  continued 
his  course,  utterly  forgetful  of  his  charge,  and  also 
of  the  fact  that  his  steed  was  moving  at  a  rate 
with  which  no  footman  could  well  keep  pace. 

Gradually  he  regained  the  ascendency  of  his  de- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  87 

spondent  feelings,  and  began  to  scan  the  matter  in 
another  light.  He  congratulated  himself  on  the 
fact  that  he  had  at  least  rescued  one  human  being 
from  thraldom.  This,  arousing  him  from  his  rev- 
ery,  recalled  to  his  mind  his  companion,  Sambo. 

"The  man  has  had  a  weary  tramp,"  he  said, 
"  and  must  need  rest  sorely.  It  would  hardly  be 
fair  for  me  to  suffer  him  to  walk  any  longer  at  this 
time :  though  I  shall  myself  suffer  by  it,  we  must 
exchange  situations,  at  least  for  awhile."  Turning 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  this  resolution,  no 
Sambo  was  at  hand.  At  the  moment,  he  felt  some 
misgivings  as  to  the  cause  of  absence;  but  one 
moment  of  calm  reasoning  assured  him  he  had 
been  riding  too  rapidly  for  his  friend  to  keep  in 
view.  It  was  necessary  to  return  and  seek  him. 
As  he  passed  back,  a  diverging  road  in  the  direc- 
tion in  which  he  had  before  gone,  previously  un- 
noticed, now  arrested  his  attention.  In  doubt 
whether  his  charge  had  not  pursued  the  newly- 
discovered  road,  Justus  paused  in  perplexed  uncer- 
tainty ;  but  the  accidental  observation  of  footprints 
in  that  direction  decided  his  mind,  and  induced 
him  to  rein  his  horse  in  pursuit.  Rapid  riding 
soon  brought  him  to  a  dwelling,  where,  to  his  ques- 
tion whether  "a  colored  man"  had  been  seen  to 
pass,  a  negative  answer  was  returned.  Nor  did  the 


88  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

question,  together  with  the  manner  of  the  ques- 
tioner, fail  to  excite  suspicion  in  regard  to  the 
nature  of  the  gentleman's  character. 

Justus  was  now  at  a  loss  how  to  act.  Night  was 
fast  approaching;  and,  for  aught  he  knew,  Sambo 
might  be  either  behind  or  in  advance.  There  was, 
then,  a  probability  of  missing  him  either  way.  But 
as  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  his  determination  was,  to 
advance  while  any  daylight  still  remained.  The 
dusk  of  the  evening  was  giving  way  to  darkness, 
when  Justus,  checking  his  horse,  exclaimed  de- 
spairingly : 

"  He  certainly  has  not  gone  on  :  I  must  seek  him 
in  the  opposite  direction." 

At  that  moment  a  dark  object,  a  short  distance 
in  advance,  attracted  his  notice,  and  he  continued : 

"Ah !  there  he  is  now,  perhaps." 

"Dat  you,  Mas'  Justus?"  at  this  moment  saluted 
his  ears.  "  Whar  in  the  worl'  you  been  ?  I 
'spected  you  'd  gone  off  and  left  me  clar ;  an'  I  'as 
jist  thinkin'  about  goin'  back  to  Mas  Tom's. 
Mighty  glad  you  's  come,  dough ;  for  I 's  run  my- 
self most  to  def,  tryin'  to  cotch  you." 

"Why  did  you  not  keep  up  with  me  from  the 
start,  Sambo  ?" 

"  Goodness  knows,  Mas'  Justus,  I  can't  walk 's 
fast  as  that  hoss  kin  pace." 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  89 

"  But  could  you  not  follow  the  same  road  I  did, 
by  the  horse's  tracks?" 

"  ]Nb,  sah !  dar  was  so  many  tracks  in  bof  of  urn, 
I  could  n't  tell  which  one  you  tuk ;  but  that  gem- 
man  you  axed  'way  back  yondah  said  dis  was  the 
road  to  take ;  and  I  'spected  you  'd  come  this 
way." 

"  Well,  have  you  ever  been  along  this  road, 
Sambo?" 

"  O,  yes,  sah,  once  or  twice." 

"  How  far  do  you  suppose  it  is  to  a  house  ?" 

"Dun  no,  'zackly ;  mile  or  two,  mebbe." 

The  journey  was  resumed:  Sambo — who  com- 
plained of  his  feet  being  excoriated  in  his  long 
walk — in  the  saddle ;  his  guardian  sturdily  trudging 
in  advance. 

An  hour  had  passed,  and  yet  the  gleaming  light 
from  no  friendly  habitation  met  the  eye  ;  while 
Sambo's  nodding  had  more  than  once  menaced 
him  with  a  fall.  Again  they  exchanged  situations. 
Another  hour  passed  with  like  result. 

"Le  's  stop  heah,  Mas'  Justus,"  said  Sambo. 

"  Why,  what  shall  we  do  ?  There  are  no  accom- 
modations for  us  here." 

"Well,  we  can't  find  no  house,  nohow,  't  don't 
look  like,  and  we  can  rest  heah,  and  Pompey  kin 
find  some  grass  to  eat." 


90  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"  Halloo,  Sambo,  as  loud  as  you  can :  perhaps 
some  one  may  hear  you,  and  reply." 

The  negro  complied.  Again  and  again.  Justus 
joined,  and  both  shouted  in  concert:  the  echo  of 
their  own  voices  was  the  only  sound  returned. 

Sambo's  advice  was  now  taken,  and  they  pre- 
pared for  their  bivouac.  "Pompey"  was  turned 
loose,  to  pick  what  herbage  he  could  find — the 
riders  taking  such  measures  as  necessity  would 
allow  for  their  own  comfort. 

Justus  had  read  and  heard  of  bivouacs  in  the 
woods,  but  had  never  anticipated  the  enjoyment  of 
such  a  camping-out  as  this;  nor  was  the  present 
privilege  very  highly  prized ;  and  no  wonder,  under 
the  circumstances.  He  was  lost — having  no  idea 
of  his  whereabouts,  further  than  that  he  was  in  a 
wild,  lone-looking  wood,  and  in  a  totally  strange 
country.  One  thing  was  evident,  however :  it  was 
inevitable,  and  repining  would  do  no  good.  He 
therefore  made  up  his  mind  to  endure  it  philo- 
sophically. 

Stopping  in  the  woods,  the  preparations  for  their 
lodgings  seemed  to  have  taken  awyay  all  desire  of 
sleep,  even  the  drowsy  Sambo  forgetting  to  doze. 

Each  one  now  appeared  to  be  busy  with  his  own 
thoughts.  Suddenly  Justus  spoke  : 

"  Sambo !" 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  91 

"Sab?"  answered  he,  startled  almost  to  his  feet 
by  the  abruptness  of  his  address. 

"I  have  just  been  reflecting,  Sambo,  on  the  happi- 
ness in  store  for  you ;  but  now,  in  the  first  place, 
as  you  are  a  free  man,  you  must  have  a  becoming 
name.  I  will,  therefore,  call  you  George  Washing- 
ton ;  and  for  a  surname  you  can  adopt  that  of  your 
late  master :  George  "W.  McMinime,  then,  will  be 
your  style  of  address." 

"Yes,  sah,"  replied  Sambo;  but  the  manner  of 
speaking  was  without  enthusiasm  or  energy,  show- 
ing that  his  thoughts  were  running  on  other  mat- 
ters. This  was  observed  by  his  guardian  with  sin- 
cere regret,  for  he  had  expected  and  desired  that 
exultation  in  his  freedom,  and  reflections  on  the 
glorious  consequences  to  result  from  it,  would  fully 
occupy  all  the  negro's  time.  However,  he  could  not 
but  indulge  the  hope  that  time,  and  the  change  of 
condition  to  be  experienced,  would  work  a  corre- 
sponding change  in  his  disposition.  Nor  could  he 
wonder  much  at  his  present  conduct,  after  viewing 
the  matter  in  its  proper  light. 

The  "man"  had  never  enjoyed  the  privilege  of 
acting  in  a  man's  place ;  and  whatever  he  may  have 
suffered  in  his  former  state,  he  had  tried  it,  and 
knew  it  to  be  endurable,  while  the  future  was  dark 


92  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

and  wholly  unknown ;  being,  on  this  account,  well 
calculated  to  excite  gloomy  foreboding. 

Neither  one  being  disposed  to  carry  on  a  conver- 
sation, they  again  lapsed  into  silence,  and  soon  G. 
~W.  McMinime,  enveloping  himself  in  Justus's 
cloak,  which  his  friend  had  kindly  placed  at  his 
service  for  the  occasion,  extended  himself  on  the 
grass,  and  forgot  for  a  time  all  toils  and  cares  in 
slumber;  which  fact  was  announced  to  Justus  by 
heavy  snoring,  when,  adjusting  his  saddle-blanket 
to  the  best  advantage,  he  speedily  followed  this  ex- 
ample. On  the  following  morning,  Mr.  G.  "W. 
McMinime  had  a  variety  of  questions  to  propound  to 
his  kind  conductor  relative  to  his  future  prospects. 
He  was  not  fully  satisfied  of  the  propriety  of  his 
present  movements. 

"  Do  you  t'ink,  Mas'  Justus,  that  white  folks  '11 
treat  me  like  I  'as  's  good  as  them,  when  I  gits  to 
Massy  choosetts  ?" 

"Why,  sir!  they  dare  not  treat  you  otherwise; 
you  will  be  a  freeman,  and  the  law  will  be  open  to 
you  for  the  enforcing  of  your  rights ;  you  need  not 
subject  yourself  to  any  uneasiness,  as  such  trouble 
will  be  superfluous  on  that  ground,  Sambo." 

"  Yes,  but  won't  they  sola  push  me  aside,  and  say, 
Get  .out  'o  the  way  heah,  you  nigga,  you  don't  'long  mongst 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  93 

wite  folks !  I 's  been  told  dis  is  de  way  da  does  dar 
to  de  poah  black  uns." 

"  It  is  true,  perhaps,  Sambo,  there  may  be  some 
with  whom  you  meet  that  will  act  thus ;  these, 
however,  will  only  be  the  rude  and  ignorant ;  and 
then  you  must  recollect  that  this  will  be  vastly  better 
than  it  is  here,  where  all  push  you  aside,  and  you 
are  held  in  estimation  by  none." 

"Yes,  it  might  be;  but  heah  we  aint  free,  but 
jis  know  dis  is  our  place ;  dough  to  have  de  name 
of  bein'  free,  and  not  be  mor'n  half  free  nuder,'s 
a  heap  wus  dan  'tis  heah.  If  we  only  acts  like  we 
know  we  oughter  heah,  we  are  'spected  as  good 
servants." 

"0,  my  dear  sir!  you  ought  not  to  talk  so;  you 
should  accustom  yourself  to  think  and  talk  differ- 
ently on  this  subject.  But  I  must  make  allowance 
for  you :  your  former  condition,  as  well  as  your 
education,  has  been  of  a  nature  calculated  to  blind 
your  perceptions  of  your  rights,  and  to  degrade 
you  below  your  true  level  in  the  scale  of  being.  I 
entertain  no  doubt  but  you  will  view  things  in  a 
different  light  after  having  acquired  experience  in 
the  school  of  freedom.  And  for  the  present,  let 
me  entreat  you  to  harass  yourself  by  no  gloomy 
forebodings." 

Whether  convinced  or  not,  this  silenced  him  on 


94  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

that  point;  but  another  difficulty  rested  on  his 
mind :  should  he  not  be  pleased  with  his  new  situa- 
tion, would  there  be  any  "  chance  to  git  back  agin  ?" 
Being  at  length  satisfied  in  regard  to  this  also,  he 
announced  himself  in  readiness  at  once  to  resume 
his  journey. 

The  experience  of  Justus  on  the  preceding  day, 
in  the  line  of  walking,  had  completely  convinced 
him  of  his  extreme  need  of  another  horse ;  but  as 
the  want  was  one  impossible  at  that  time  to  be  sup- 
plied, nothing  remained  but  to  proceed  as  before 
till  fortune  should  throw  in  their  way  the  means  of 
bettering  their  condition. 

Notwithstanding  the  bitterness  of  this  experience, 
Justus  arranged  the  order  of  march  as  before :  he 
himself  preceded  on  foot,  Sambo  in  the  saddle.  It 
is  not  likely,  at  all,  that  Justus  would  thus  have 
favored  the  negro  for  any  desire  of  effecting  an 
equality  between  them :  his  memory  was  too  keen 
for  such  a  motive  to  exert  much  influence ;  but  he 
saw  the  negro's  mind  was  beginning  to  waver,  and 
that  some  stimulant  was  needed  to  keep  his  resolu- 
tion up  to  the  proper  pitch.  To  effect  this,  Justus, 
though  at  great  personal  sacrifice,  insisted  on  his 
taking  charge  of  the  horse,  at  least  to  take  his  turn 
at  riding  first.  Mile  after  mile  was  thus  traversed, 
and  the  pangs  of  hunger  began  to  be  seriously  felt. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  95 

and,  as  yet,  no  human  abode  appeared  in  view. 
Unused  to  such  a  procedure,  Justus  was  overcome 
with  fatigue  and  vexation.  He  was  entirely  dis- 
heartened ;  but,  to  better  his  condition  as  far  as 
possible,  he  determined  to  exchange  places  with 
"  George,"  alias  Sambo,  who,  with  all  the  dignity 
of  a  judge,  closely  followed  his  footsteps.  The  re- 
solve was  scarcely  formed,  when  a  sudden  turn  in 
the  road  revealed  to  sight — most  cheering  pros- 
pect ! — a  dwelling  near  at  hand.  Without  dismount- 
ing the  negro,  he  continued  on  to  the  house. 

Though  previously  so  anxious  to  reach  a  human 
dwelling,  and  though  the  necessity  was  imperative, 
he  now  felt  an  involuntary  shrinking  from  that  in- 
terview which  must  so  soon  occur ;  and,  had  he  not 
been  compelled  to  call,  no  halt  would  have  been 
made.  It  may  seem  strange  that  he  should  be  thus 
affected  by  what  ought  to  have  been  simply  a  cause 
for  joy.  But  a  very  natural  reason  may  be  assigned. 
He  was  about  acting  in  a  capacity  for  which  he  had 
had  no  preparation,  and  in  which  a  slight  error 
might  exhibit  him  in  a  very  ludicrous  light,  even 
though  unproductive  of  any  worse  result ;  and  to 
conduct  the  affair  in  the  proper  manner  was  the 
identical  thing  at  which  his  mind  revolted.  How- 
ever, the  time  intervening  between  coming  in  sight 
of  the  house  and  entering  it  permitted  him  the 


96  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

opportunity  to  collect  his  thoughts  for  the  emer- 
gency; and  yet  he  fairly  started  with  fright  at 
hearing  himself  calling  for  refreshment  for  "my- 
self and  boy." 

The  desired  hospitality  was  readily  extended,  and 
the  application  for  a  horse  was  met  by  an  invitation 
to  the  stable,  where  he  might  suit  himself.  There 
was  no  other  alternative  with  the  traveller — a  horse 
he  must  have ;  consequently,  there  were  but  few 
words  passed,  and  a  satisfactory  purchase  was  soon 
effected. 

His  want  thus  happily  supplied,  "George"  was 
called  on  to  receive  his  charger,  and  prepare  for  a 
start.  But  "George"  responded  not  to  the  call, 
nor  to  any  subsequent  ones,  which  were  neither  few 
nor  gentle.  "  Where  can  the  fellow  be  ?"  said  Jus- 
tus. But  as  nothing  of  this  kind  could  make  him 
appear,  it  was  necessary  to  institute  search ;  and 
for  this  purpose  he  directed  his  steps  towards  the 
kitchen.  He  was  not  found  there. 

Returning,  he  was  accosted  by  his  host  with, 
"  Why,  stranger,  he  has  run  away,  and  taken  your 
horse  with  him."  A  hasty  examination  too  truly 
verified  this  statement,  and  disclosed  the  startling  fact 
that  his  equipment  and  saddle-bags  were  also  gone. 

A  predicament  of  this  nature  is  not  easily  de- 
scribed. Should  we  say  Justus  was  taken  entirely  un- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  97 

awares,  and  sadly  disappointed,  this  is  no  more  than 
the  reader  will  know,  naturally,  without  the  inter- 
vention either  of  prophet  or  historian.  But,  on 
the  other  hand,  should  we  say  he  was  thunderstruck  ! 
overpowered!  his  indignation  knew  no  bounds  •  or  equiv- 
alent expressions,  it  wrould  not  be  strictly  true,  for 
he  was  a  philosopher.  But  while  acknowledging 
our  inability  to  do  justice,  we  forbear  an  allusion 
to  his  sensations ;  his  actions  we  may  describe. 
For  some  moments  he  reflected,  as  if  doubtful  in 
what  way  he  should  account  for  his  loss ;  but  this 
uncertainty  seemed  to  pass,  and  he  exclaimed,  "The 
ungrateful  wretch  !"  and,  after  another  pause,  he 
added,  musingly,  "No  doubt  he  has  gone  back  to 
his  master." 

"  Of  whom  did  you  buy  the  boy  ?"  asked  his  host. 
But  this  question,  though  quite  a  natural  one,  dis- 
concerted Justus,  and  threw  him  quite  off  his 
guard.  So  great  indeed  was  his  confusion,  it  was 
noticed  by  his  host.  At  length  he  replied,  "  I  ob- 
tained him  of  a  gentleman  named  McMinime." 

This  strange  conduct  011  the  part  of  Justus  excited 
in  the  mind  of  "mine  host"  suspicion  qf  foul  deal- 
ings on  the  part  of  his  guest.  "  I  suppose  you  have 
the  papers  to  show,"  he  added,  with  seeming  care- 
lessness. 

"0  yes,"  said  he,  feeling  for  his  pocket-book. 
4 


08  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

But  his  alarm  was  now  more  clearly  manifest  than 
before,  as  he  exclaimed,  "Alas !  it  too  is  in  my  sad- 
dle-bags. O,  sir,  cannot  I  secure  your  aid  in  his 
recovery  ?  I  am  a  stranger  to  this  business,  and 
know  not  whether  I  can  succeed  in  finding  him ; 
yet,  without  the  documents  he  has,  I  am  a  ruined 
man." 

The  evident  sincerity  of  this  appeal  wrought  a 
change  in  the  feelings  of  the  landlord,  and,  though 
unable  to  comply  with  his  request,  he  felt  no  dispo- 
sition, as  he  had  previously  done,  to  present  any 
impediments  to  his  movements,  or  to  trouble  him- 
self in  any  way  about  the  matter,  as  it  was  evidently 
no  affair  of  his ;  and,  even  though  the  stranger  had 
obtained  the  boy  by  foul  means,  it  \vas  now  very 
clear  he  was  at  liberty  to  return  to  his  master. 
Justus  could  afford  to  lose  no  time.  He  therefore 
set  out  at  once  and  alone,  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive, 
for  his  property  must  be  recovered,  even  though  his 
ward  should  have  decided  on  abandoning  him. 
And  the  bill  of  sale  !  Ah  !  what  should  he  do  were 
that  lost  ? 

He  had  paid  but  little  attention  to  the  country 
over  which  he  had  passed,  and  very  soon  had  the 
mortification  to  find  he  had  missed  the  road,  and 
was  lost.  This  was  annoying  under  any  circum- 
stances, but  doubly  so  at  the  present  time. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  99 

Long  did  lie  wander  in  this  uncertain  state,  unable 
to  gain  any  information  in  regard  to  his  point  of 
destination,  and  consequently  bewildered,  on  ac- 
count of  his  want  of  knowledge  of  the  locality. 
From  this  cause  he  was  unable  to  designate  any 
place  in  the  neighborhood  of  or  on  the  route  to 
that  place  at  which  he  was  aiming.  The  residence 
of  Mr.  McMinime  was  the  only  one  of  which  he 
had  any  idea,  and  the  few  persons  whom  he  chanced 
to  meet  being  as  little  acquainted  with  the  gentle- 
man sought  as  himself,  he  had  no  means  of  ascer- 
taining whether  or  not  he  was  gaining  any  thing  on 
his  journey. 

At  length  he  hit  upon  a  plan  to  gain  the  desired 
information.  There  was  a  camp-ground  near  the 
place  he  was  seeking.  He  was  informed  there  were 
two  such  institutions,  at  about  equal  distances  from 
where  he  then  was.  His  hopes  were  again  dashed 
to  the  ground.  Yet  there  was  still  another  hold : 
"  But  there  is,  or  was  very  recently,  a  meeting  in 
progress  at  the  one  of  which  I  am  speaking." 

"  0,  well,  then,  I  can  put  you  in  the  road ;"  and 
he  was  furnished  with  explicit  directions. 

This  good  fortune  had  come  none  too  soon ;  for 
his  wanderings  had  well -nigh  consumed  the  day,  and 
he  began  to  feel  no  little  concerned  in  regard  to  a 
shelter  for  the  night.  On  this  occasion,  fortune 


100  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

favored  him,  and  the  gathering  gloom  of  despond- 
ency was  driven  from  his  heart,  and  the  darkness 
of  early  night  enlivened  by  the  cheerful  blaze 
gleaming  through  the  open  door  of  a  contiguous 
farm-house.  Though  furnished  with  comfortable 
quarters,  there  was  yet  a  serious  drawback  to  his 
enjoyment:  previous  to  entering  the  house,  he 
made  the  discovery  that  this  was  the  identical 
place  at  which  he  had  inquired  for  Sambo  the 
evening  before.  It  seemed  to  him  at  the  time  that 
the  question  excited  some  "unnecessary  emotion;" 
whether  it  was  the  interrogatory  itself,  or  the  man- 
ner of  propounding  it,  he  was  not  prepared  to  say ; 
and  the  suspicion,  too  apparent  for  concealment,  of 
his  late  host,  taught  him  he  was  now  occupying  a 
critical  position,  in  consequence  of  the  loss  of  the 
bill  of  sale.  Still  he  did  not  know  all,  or  he  would 
have  chosen  to  remain  one  other  night  in  the 
woods. 

Rumors  had  spread  from  the  camp-ground,  of  the 
movements  at  that  place  of  the  young  abolitionist ; 
and  this  was  the  subject  of  the  conversation  to 
which  Justus  was  compelled  to  listen.  He  was 
regaled  with  an  account  of  the  doings  of  a  "poor 
fool."  We  wTill  not  repeat  any  more  of  the  particu- 
lar epithets  used  on  the  occasion  in  question :  how 
he  tried  to  induce  the  slaves  to  abscond  from  their 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  101 

masters ;  was  watched,  and  caught  in  the  very  act ; 
and,  finally,  how  he  was  dip^e/d;  ,m:the  .cr.e^k. 
Then  the  "  Ha,  ha,  ha !"  tha^t  burst  from  all  present, 
himself  excepted,  was  almost  enough  to-  cause1  his 
hair  to  stand  on  end,  and  the  cold  sweat  on  his 
forehead.  Nor  was  even  this  the  end  of  his  tor- 
ments. His  entertainers  went  on  to  state,  "  They 
had  no  doubt  that  the  same  chap  passed  here  yes- 
terday evening."  Then  the  impression  he  had 
made  at  the  time  was  fairly  described  to  him  : 

"  But  that 's  one  time  he  missed  it,  though.  He 
got  hold  of  a  nigger  that  time  harder  to  steal  than 
he  thought  for,  and  he  's  left  afoot  now  somewhere. 
The  women  folks  say  the  same  nigger  passed  back 
this  afternoon,  riding  the  very  horse  the  fellow  was 
on." 

Here  ensued  another  boisterous  fit  of  merriment. 
The  concluding  portion  of  this  speech,  at  least,  con- 
tained some  comfort  for  the  puzzled  Yankee,  inas- 
much as  it  satisfied  him  of  the  fact  that  his  escaped 
ward  had  returned  to  his  old  home,  of  which  he 
had  been  previously  in  doubt.  Thus  cheered,  and 
thus  tormented,  at  the  earliest  pause  in  the  conver- 
sation he  took  occasion  to  withdraw  for  the  night. 


102          THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE    CHASE. 

"Now,  do  thy  speedy  utmost,  Meg, 
And  win  the  key-stane  o'  the  brig." 

ALTHOUGH  Justus  retired,  it  was  not  to  sleep  for 
long  and  weary  hours.  It  is  true,  lie  felt  the  effect 
of  his  protracted  fatigue  and  exposure ;  but  this 
was  forgotten  in  the  ordeal  through  which  he  had 
just  passed.  To  escape  further  torment,  and  to 
prepare  himself  for  a  more  trying  time,  anticipated 
in  the  morning,  or  to  devise  means  for  escaping  it, 
were  the  motives  for  his  sudden  withdrawal ;  for,  to 
his  mind,  a  discovery  seemed  inevitable  when  he 
should  confront  the  family  in  the  open  light  of  day ; 
and  what  might  be  his  horrid  fate  if  apprehended 
under  present  circumstances,  he  could  only  ima- 
gine. It  was  now  a  matter  of  regret  that  he  had 
not  made  known  the  exact  nature  of  his  business 
when  the  subject  was  first  introduced,  and  taken 
the  consequences;  but  surprise,  and  an  undefined 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  103 

apprehension  of  evil  results,  had  kept  him  silent  at 
the  time  he  should  have  spoken  ;  and  now  nothing 
remained  but  to  endure  in  silence. 

The  fear  of  being  recognized  when  exposed  to 
daylight,  as  the  "  chap"  that  inquired  for  the  black 
man,  was  a  matter  in  regard  to  which  he  could  not 
satisfy  himself;  for  this,  after  affairs  had  taken  the 
present  turn,  would  be  inconceivably  worse  than  to 
have  made  the  confession  himself  at  the  commence- 
ment. He  might  prevent  such  a  result,  however, 
by  a  very  early  start  in  the  morning ;  and  this  plan, 
after  full  deliberation,  he  determined  to  adopt. 
The  matter  thus  settled,  he  soon  sank  to  forgetful- 
ness. 

A  heavy  hand  was  laid  on  his  shoulder,  and  a 
rough  voice  sounded  in  his  ear,  "  Stranger ! 
stranger!"  He  aroused  himself.  The  sun  was 
casting  his  early  beams  into  the  chamber.  "  You 
sleep  well,"  continued  the  same  voice.  "I  called 
you  repeatedly,  and  could  get  no  answer.  It  is  our 
breakfast-time,  and  I  supposed  you  would  like  to 
be  travelling." 

"  Yes ;  thank  you.  I  should  have  been  up  long 
ago,  but  I  have  lost  rest  lately,  which  caused  me  to 
oversleep  myself." 

To  his  great  joy,  breakfast  passed,  and  he  was 
not  recognized ;  nor  was  there  even  so  much  as  a 


104  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

suspicion  of  his  real  character.  Yet  not  until  he 
had  received  the  necessary  instructions,  and  was 
fairly  on  the  way,  did  he  feel  himself  at  ease. 

Released  from  the  scene  of  his  late  tortures,  he 
again  breathed  freely,  and,  for  a  brief  space  of  time, 
was  comparatively  happy.  But  other  reflections 
presenting  themselves,  speedily  marred  his  joy. 
"What  if  George  should  rob  him,  or  the  paper 
should  be  lost?"  And  he  spurred  on  with  renewed 
energy. 

It  chanced  that  the  horse  he  was  riding  was  not 
perfectly  well  broke  to  the  saddle,  and  was  subject 
to  sudden  starts,  by  which  he  had  narrowly  escaped 
being  thrown  on  several  occasions.  And,  while 
passing  a  house,  he  took  an  affright  at  the  barking 
of  a  dog  that  flew  out  at  him,  and  set  off  at  full 
speed.  Inexperienced  as  a  rider;  he  had  but  little 
control  over  the  beast,  whose  fright  and  speed  in- 
creased with  the  distance,  leaving  the  rider  in  doubt 
as  to  the  propriety  of  securing  himself  from  danger 
by  falling  off,  rather  than  have  his  neck  broken,  or 
being  dashed  out  of  the  saddle  by  the  first  opposing 
object.  Drawing  near  to  a  farm  on  the  roadside, 
he  observed  a  horseman  a  short  distance  in  advance, 
who,  attracted  by  the  sound  of  his  furious  gallop, 
suddenly  turned  and  looked  back. 

Justus's  surprise  may  be  better  imagined  than 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEE.  105 

described,  when  that  look  revealed  the  person  of 
his  late  ward,  G.  W.  McMinirae.  One  hasty  look, 
however,  was  quite  enough  to  satisfy  the  negro,  and 
in  a  moment  his  horse  was  careering  down  the  road 
as  if  in  emulation  of  the  speed  of  his  pursuer. 

It  was  to  no  purpose  that  his  master  vociferated, 
"  George  !  George  Washington  !"  for  the  only  visible 
effect  it  had  was  to  give  his  own  horse  a  fresh  start, 
causing  him  to  redouble  his  efforts.  Away  went 
the  negro,  leading  the  chase,  and  headlong  followed 
Justus,  shouting  alternately,  "  George !  George 
"Washington  !  You  need  not  run  from  me." 

But  the  only  answer  he  could  elicit  from  George 
was  the  more  energetic  belaboring  and  kicking  of 
his  steed,  and  a  stolen  glance  behind  occasionally, 
as  if  to  discover  how  the  chase  was  going.  Yet,  in 
spite  of  all  his  exertions,  his  pursuer  gained  on 
him. 

The  chase  now  became  exciting,  Justus  one  while 
calling  on  "George,"  George  on  "Mas'  Tom." 
The  negroes  in  the  field  abandoned  their  cotton- 
picking  for  the  nonce,  and,  almost  bursting  with 
laughter,  took  their  stations  along  the  fence,  shout- 
ing, "  Hurrah  for  de  ole  Gineral  Washington ! 
You 's  got  to  beat  dat,  boy,  or  de  boss  '11  catch  you, 
shoah.  Don't  ole  Gin'ral  do  it  brown  ?" 

On  down  towards  the   house   they  swept.     The 


106  THE     YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E;D  E  A  L  E  R. 

pursuer  had  ceased  his  calling,  but  the  fugitive  was 
crying  at  every  breath,  "  Mas'  Tom  !  Help  !  Mas' 
Tom,  Mas'  Justus'  goin'  to  kill  me." 

The  cause  of  such  an  uproar  was  matter  of  no 
little  surprise  at  the  house,  which  they  were  now 
fast  approaching,  the  negro  but  a  short  distance  in 
advance  ;  but  Sambo's  well-known  voice — for  it  was 
the  residence  of  his  late  master — being  soon  recog- 
nized amid  the  other  din,  the  wonder  became  still 
more  intense.  The  entire  household  was  speedily 
collected  at  the  yard  fence,  to  be  able  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  earliest  opportunity  of  learning  the 
cause  of  the  outbreak  between  Sambo  and  his  new 
master,  as  denoted  by  such  an  unusual  uproar  from 
the  negro,  and  the  grounds  of  their  unexpected 
return. 

That  worthy  had  no  sooner  brought  his  horse  to 
a  partial  halt,  than,  throwing  himself  from  his  back, 
he  rushed  through  the  gate  to  his  master,  exclaim- 
ing, "  Save  me,  Mas'  Tom;  I  'spec'  he'll  mos'  want 
to  kill  me.  I  left  'im,  and  took  all  his  things  off. 
I  do  n't  want  to  go  away  and  be  free,  nohow." 

"  Why,  you  worthless  puppy !  what  right  have 
you  to  run  away,  and  come  to  my  premises  ?  Go 
to  your  old  cabin,  and  do  not  stir  out  till  I  call  for 
you  to  start  again." 

This  he  spoke  with  difficulty,  on  account  of  a 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER,.  107 

disposition  to  laugh.  And  the  ludicrousness  of  the 
scene  would  have  justified  one  less  humorous  than 
himself  in  an  outburst  of  mirth.  The  words  of  the 
negro  had  fully  explained  the  matter  to  his  late 
master;  and,  though  he  was  scarcely  less  angry 
than  surprised  at  his  return,  he  loved  a  good  joke 
too  well  not  to  reap  from  the  occurrence  an  excel- 
lent harvest  of  fun. 

The  pursuer  was  soon  at  hand,  borne  on,  without 
any  regard  to  his  own  volition,  by  his  panting 
charger,  which,  however,  manifested  no  disposition 
to  proceed  any  farther  than  his  leader  had  done ; 
and,  much-  to  his  rider's  relief  he  came  to  a  halt 
The  appearance  of  Justus  was  by  no  means  calcu- 
lated to  allay  McMinime's  risibilities,  and  it  was 
with  the  utmost  difficulty  he  could  so  far  control 
himself  as  to  calmly  ask,  after  the  usual  salutation, 
"  What  in, the  world  has  happened,  that  you  ride  at 
such  a  headlong  gait?  Has  Sambo  seen  enough 
freedom  alread}^?" 

"I  do  not  know  what  is  the  matter  with  him," 
moodily  replied  Justus.  "He  left  me  yesterday 
morning,  taking  with  him  my  all.  But  as  my  sad- 
dle-bags are  here,  I  will  examine  them,  and  see  if 
every  thing  is  safe."  He  nervously  proceeded  to 
the  task,  while  McMinime,  entirely  overcome, 
fairly  exploded  with  laughter.  Justus  looked  the 


108  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

indignation  he  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  express ; 
and  the  other,  recovering  himself,  apologized  for 
the  rudeness,  hut  added:  "You  could  not  hlame 
me,  I  know,  did  you  see  and  hear  the  matter  in  the 
same  manner  I  do." 

"  That  may  be,  hut  the  subject  is  in  no  way 
mirthful  to  me.  It  may,  on  the  contrary,  prove  a 
very  serious  matter,"  replied  Justus,  still  busily  en- 
gaged in  overhauling  his  effects. 

"  This  is  the  thought  that  excited  my  laughter," 
replied  McMinime,  in  further  explanation :  "  I 
have  read  and  heard  of  fugitives  of  various  descrip- 
tions, as  from  battle,  from  labor,  from  justice,  but 
a  fugitive  from  freedom,  is  something,  to  me,  at 
least,  entirely  new." 

"Bather  a  strange  idea,"  replied  he,  in  any  thing 
but  a  mirthful  mood.  "I  would  prefer  fleeing 
from  any  thing  else." 

By  this  time  one  department  of  the  treasury  had 
been  emptied,  and  the  contents  examined.  But 
he  did  not  seem  to  have  been  very  successful  in  his 
search ;  for,  with  an  agitation  plainly  manifest,  he 
began  operations  on  the  other  side.  This,  too, 
failing  to  reveal  the  object  of  his  solicitude,  his  dis- 
tress was  really  pitiable.  "Alas!"  he  exclaimed, 
"what  shall  I  do  ?  I  am  ruined." 

"Have  you  lost  any  thing?"  asked  McMinime. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  109 

"Lost  any  tiling!"  echoed  he.  "Alas !  sir,  I 
have  lost  every  thing.  My  pocket-book,  containing 
all  the  money  I  have  in  the  world,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  some  small  change,  as  well  as  that  received 
from  you;  the  bill  of  sale,  and  I  know  not  what 
else,  are  gone.  I  am  reduced  to  penury,  sir;  and 
not  only  so,  my  character  is  at  stake  on  account  of 
the  loss  of  the  paper." 

"  Where  or-  how  do  you  suppose  you  could  have 
lost  them  ?  It  is  a  strange  thing  to  lose  articles  of 
the  kind  from  saddle-bags,  unless,  indeed,  they 
were  stolen.  Perhaps  you  have  overlooked  them." 

"No  hopes  of  that,"  he  mournfully  replied. 
"But  as  to  how  I  lost  them,  it  is  hard  to  say; 
though  I  fear  George  has  stolen  them.  At  any 
rate,  they  were  lost  while  the  saddle-bags  were  in 
his  possession." 

"Who  is  this  George  you  speak  of?" 

"  I  mean  Sambo."  He  then  narrated  the  events  of 
the  last  two  days,  concluding  with,  "I  know  I  have 
not  lost  any  thing  myself,  for  I  have  had  no  oppor- 
tunity to  do  so ;  therefore  he  must  have  it,  unless 
he  has  lost  it,  which  is  by  no  means  probable." 

"A  bad  business,"  remarked  McMinime;  "for 
if  Sambo  has  robbed  you — of  which  I  have  no 
doubt — it  will  be  next  to  impossible  to  get  it  from 
him.  However,  we  must  see  what  can  be  done. 


110  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

"Sambo!"  but  Sambo  responded  not  to  the  call; 
and  eacli  repetition  of  the  call  met  with  the  like 
result. 

"Pa,  I  think  I  saw  him  go  in  the  parlor  a  little 
while  ago,"  said  a  little  flaxen-haired  child  stand- 
ing by. 

"  0  no,  daughter,  I  reckon  that  must  have  been 
a  mistake;  he  has  no  business  there."  But  there 
could  be  no  doubt  of  his  being  somewhere ;  and 
as  he  could  not  be  made  to  hear,  a  messenger  was 
sent  to  seek,  and  bring  him  in. 

This  was  at  length  accomplished,  when  his  mas- 
ter observed  to  him,  in  a  matter-of-course  way, 
"  Sambo,  Mr.  Justus  thinks  you  have  been  troubled 
long  enough  with  his  pocket-book,  and  would  be 
very  thankful  for  you  to  deliver  it  up,  as  he  feels 
fully  competent  now  to  take  care  of  it  for  himself." 

"What  you  mean,  Mas'  Tom?  How  I  gwine  to 
git  Mas'  Justus's  pocket-book  ?  De  Lord  knows  I 
aint  got  no  pocket-book  o'  Mas'  Justus's,  nor  no- 
body else's." 

"Why,  I  mean  you  must  deliver  up  what  you 
have  stolen  from  those  saddle-bags,  and  tell  no 
more  lies  about  it,  or  I  will  just  whip  you  to  death. 
I  see  no  use,  anyway,  of  suffering  such  a  thievish, 
lying  rascal  to  live  any  longer.  So,  if  you  value 
your  life,  let  us  know  where  it  is  immediately." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  Ill 

"  I  swah  to  the  Good  One,  Mas'  Tom,  I  aint  stole 
nuf 'n,  and  don't  know  nuf  'ri  about  no  pocket-book 
nuder." 

"Bring  me  a  cord  here,"  said  his  master;  "it  is 
useless  to  waste  time  with  him ;  he  is  tired  of  living, 
I  presume,  or  else  he  thinks  because  I  never  have 
whipped  him  to  death  yet,  notwithstanding  all  his 
wickedness,  I  never  will;  but  he  may,  perhaps, 
find  he  has  presumed  too  far."  The  cord  being 
brought,  he  continued:  "Bind  the  villain  hard; 
and  here,  Billy,  run  and  cut  me  about  a  dozen  good 
hickory  sprouts,"  handing  an  open  knife  to  his 
little  son.  "I'll  break  him  from  stealing,  and 
teach  him  to  tell  the  truth,  before  I  am  done  with 
him.  Never  mind  it,  either :  nothing  short  of  death 
will  cure  him,  and  he  had  as  well  just  be  put  out 
of  the  way  at  once.  Go  bring  me  my  gun — that 
will  be  the  best  way  of  getting  rid  of  him." 

From  the  earnest  asseverations  of  the  negro,  Jus- 
tus fully  believed  him  to  be  innocent.  He  had, 
when  the  binding  was  effected,  a  strong  inclination  to 
intercede  for  him  ;  but  the  order  for  the  gun  com- 
pletely horrified  him.  He  could  not  help  indulging 
the  hope  that  there  was  no  intention  of  using  so 
murderous  a  weapon ;  yet  he  was  aware  that  "  slave- 
holders were  wont  to  perpetrate  great  atrocities  on 
the  persons  of  their  helpless  victims."  Then,  as 


112  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

the  image  of  the  nr^steriously  blackened  trees 
about  Legree's  farm  arose  to  his  mind,  he  very 
reasonably  concluded  that  this  man  could  shoot  a 
human  being  as  easily,  and  with  as  great  impunity, 
as  another  could  burn  him.  What  could  he  do? 
Should  he  stand  by  and  see  the  atrocious  murder 
committed  ?  His  agitation  was  so  open  and  violent, 
it  was  observed  by  both  the  master  and  the  servant. 
"With  the  latter  it  proved  to  be  contagious.  He 
had  thought  that  the  threat  in  regard  to  shooting 
was  only  intended  to  scare  him ;  and,  so  far  from 
being  disturbed  at  it,  he  was  glad  to  be  released 
from  the  whipping  which  he  fully  expected.  But 
seeing  Justus  so  much  disturbed,  his  conclusion 
was  that  he  was  further  in  the  secret  than  himself, 
and  that  possibly  there  was  more  danger  than  he 
anticipated.  TJie  sight  of  the  gun  increased  the 
alarm  of  each,  and  of  Justus  especially,  to  such  an 
extent,  that  McMinime  saw  it  needful  to  use  some 
means  to  allay  his  fears,  in  order  to  prevent  an 
interference.  Taking  the  gun  in  his  hand,  he 
observed : 

"  She  has  been  loaded  so  long,  she  may  be  damp. 
I  will  discharge  and  load  her  afresh,  as  I  do  not 
wish  to  make  any  blunder  when  I  begin  the  busi- 
ness." 

Turning  his  back  on  Sambo  for  the  purpose,  he 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  113 

gave  Justus  to  understand,  by  very  significant 
winks  and  gestures,  that  he  must  keep  quiet,  and 
no  harm  should  be  done.  At  the  same  time  he 
could  scarcely  restrain  a  smile  at  Justus's  woe- 
begone expression  of  countenance. 

By  the  time  the  gun  was  reloaded,  Sambo's  con- 
cern was  quite  apparent;  and  as  his  master  con- 
fronted him  again,  he  begged  most  piteously : 

"  For  goodness'  sake,  Mas'  Tom,  do  n't  shoot :  I 
dunno  where  nuf 'n  is  you  wants." 

"Stop,  Sambo;"  adding  in  a  mournful  voice,  as 
he  fitted  the  cap  on  the  tube — "  This  is  no  time  to 
be  lying;  but  say  whether  you  intend  to  inform  us 
where  the  money  is,  or  are  you  determined  to  die 
for  it?" 

"  You  do  n't  think  I  'd  tell  you  a  lie  about  it,  do 
you,  Mas'  Tom?" 

"Well,  Sambo,"  was  the  only  answer,  "I  sup- 
pose it  must  be  done ;"  and  the  gun  was  raised  to 
the  shoulder. 

"  Stop,  stop,  Mas'  Tom,"  said  the  negro,  his 
ignorance  suddenly  vanishing.  "  I  '11  tell  you 
whar  'tis:  it's  sewed  up  in  the  tick  of  my  bed. 
Le'  me  go  and  git  it  for  you.  Mas'  Tom,  I  know 
jis  the  place  to  find  it." 

He  was  released ;  and  very  soon  the  cause  of  all 
the  trouble  was  in  Justus's  hand.  An  examination 


114  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

satisfied  him  that  every  thing  was  just  as  he  had 
left  it,  with  the  exception  of  the  bill  of  sale,  which 
was  missing.  Sambo  could  give  no  account  of  it ; 
and  though  neither  of  the  gentlemen  had  a  very 
high  opinion  of  his  veracity,  yet,  as  the  nature  of 
the  lost  article  precluded  the  possibility  of  his  con- 
verting it  to  any  use  or  profit,  they  admitted  his 
assertions.  This  they  felt  the  more  ready  to  do, 
from  the  improbability  of  succeeding  again  with  him 
in  so  desperate  an  experiment.  It  was  concluded  to 
overhaul  Justus's  papers,  to  ascertain  if  the  docu- 
ment might  not  be  among  them;  but  before  this 
was  effected,  the  dinner-bell  called  for  a  suspension 
of  operations. 


THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  115 


CHAPTER   IX. 

STRANGE    OCCURRENCES. 

"  The  man  who  pauses  in  his  honesty 
Wants  little  of  a  villain." 

NOTHING  could  induce  Sambo  willingly  to  go 
"Norf  wid  Mas'  Justus,"  he  being,  according  to  his 
declaration,  "  as  far  Norf  and  as  near  free  as  he  cared 
about  beinV  In  consequence  of  this  declaration, 
the  contracting  parties  were  placed  in  an  awkward 
position,  and  one  that  seemed  likely  to  lead  to  a 
serious  disagreement.  The  loss  of  this  paper  put  it 
out  of  Justus's  power  to  comply  fully  with  his 
obligation,  while  the  other  appeared  determined  to 
come  to  an  arrangement  on  no  other  terms  than 
according  to  the  very  letter  of  the  agreement.  His 
intention  was  not  to  be  finally  obstinate,  but  only 
to  trouble  the  other  party  for  a  time.  However, 
Justus  felt  himself  in  his  power,  and  there  was  no 
remedy  for  it ;  and  how  the  matter  could  ever  be 
settled  while  McMinime  would  take  no  other 


116  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.' 

assurance  from  him  than  the  bill  of  sale,  he  was  at  a 
loss  to  imagine.  For  himself,  he  felt  that  he  had  done 
every  thing  that  could  honorably  be  asked  of  him, 
and  felt  no  little  hurt  at  the  suspicion  of  the  other. 

"I  think,  sir,"  he  said  sharply,  becoming  irri- 
tated, "this  is  an  unnecessary  and  unreasonable 
scruple.  The  bill  of  sale  is  gone,  and  I  cannot 
replace  it,  nor  perform  my  obligation  in  accordance 
with  the  exact  words;  but  as  to  the  intention  of  the 
contract,  I  can,  by  an  instrument  of  writing,  secure 
you  from  all  fear  of  trouble  by  the  transfer  being 
hereafter  brought  against  you." 

"  Possibly  you  might  do  all  that  too ;  but  bear  in 
mind  that  this  would  not  be  doing  what  you  obligated 
yourself  to  do.  And  more  than  that,  it  may  be 
that,  after  your  instrument  of  writing  is  lost  or  de- 
troyed,  the  bill  of  sale  will  turn  up.  As  strange 
things  as  this  have  happened ;  and  it  is  safe  to  exer- 
cise a  little  caution,  that  we  may  not  be  overreached." 

"  Though  you  will  not  make  a  full  restoration,  I 
presume  you  will  have  no  objection  to  return  my 
obligation  and  my  receipt  for  the  money.  As  for 
the  watch,  though  highly  prized,  I  do  not  much 
regard  losing  it." 

"  I  really  do  not  know  whether  to  admire  or  to 
be  aggravated  at  your  presumption.  I  must  deliver 
to  you  the  only  authority  by  which  I  hold  your 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  117 

pledge,  while  I  feel  myself  bound  in  self-defence  to 
retain  that  pledge  ! — in  other  words,  acknowledge 
myself  to  be  acting  dishonestly  with  you.  I  would 
have  taken  a  request  for  all  with  much  better 
grace.  The  obligation  is  the  very  thing  I  wish  to 
retain  until  it  is  discharged.  But  we  can  make 
nothing  at  this  kind  of  proceeding :  let  it  rest  till 
morning,  and  we  will  then  see  what  can  be  done. 
Meanwhile,  you  may  call  to  mind  something  of  the 
lost  document;  and  I  w^ould  suggest  that  you 
study  about  it:  you  may,  perhaps,  not  have  put  it 
in  the  pocket-book,  and  it  may  yet  be  found." 

Justus's  only  reply  was  a  doubtful  shake  of  the 
head;  and  so  the  matter  rested,  with  but  little 
probability  of  an  adjustment  at  its  resumption, 
should  McMinime  press  his  present  demand.  But, 
during  the  interval,  circumstances  occurred  which 
rendered  each  one  willing  to  accede  to  the  demands 
of  the  other. 

To  calm  the  perturbation  of  his  mind,  and  exor- 
cise the  evil  spirits  struggling  within  him,  Justus 
betook  himself  to  a  ramble  in. the  woods.  He  was 
soon  lost  in  the  contemplation  of  the  scene  around 
him,  which  was  well  calculated  to  withdraw  his 
thoughts  from  his  personal  embarrassments.  The 
sun,  now  midway  in  his  descent,  was  shining  in 
unclouded  glory;  while  the  coolness  of  early 


118  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  AL  E  K. 

autumn  tempered  the  heat  of  a  Southern  clime. 
The  wind  sighed  softly  through  the  forest,  the 
green  apparel  of  which  had  begun  to  assume  a  rus- 
set hue ;  and,  as  if  to  impress  him  with  feelings  of 
solemnity,  occasionally  a  leaf,  faded  before  its  fel- 
lows, loosening  its  hold  on  the  parent  stem,  as 
shaken  by  the  gentle  breeze,  would,  fluttering,  fall 
to  the  ground  at  his  feet.  The  majestic  forest 
trees,  the  relics  of  past  centuries,  well  fitted  to  call 
up  emotions  of  sublimity,  with  the  music  of  the 
birds,  preparing  for  their  departure,  and  the  num- 
berless other  attractions  to  be  found  in  such  a 
scene,  could  not  long  hold  enchained  the  spirits 
of  the  woe-stricken  Bostonian.  His  thoughts  re- 
verted to  himself  and  his  distressing  situation; 
revolving  in  a  maze,  and  ever  returning  to  the 
starting-point,  the  unfortunate  bill  of  sale.  Most 
heartily  did  he  curse  the  delusion  that  had  led  him 
to  leave  his  own  quiet  home  in  search  of  a  mere 
chimera,  as  he  now  almost  feared.  Particularly 
did  he  reproach  himself  for  having  been  drawn 
away  from  that  silent  plan  of  observation  he  had 
marked  out  to  follow,  thus  bringing  all  these 
troubles  on  himself.  He  contrasted  the  facility 
with  which,  on  K  certain  occasion,  he,  assisted  by 
others,  had  liberated  the  servants  of  an  unsuspect- 
ing Southerner,  stopping  in  his  city,  with  the  difii- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  119 

culty  and  danger  attending  his  late  inefficient  effort 
in  the  same  line. 

His  mind  was  not  clear  on  the  subject;  but  he 
felt  an  inclination  to'  return  home,  and  either 
abandon  his  work,  or  collect  the  material  for  its 
completion  there,  so  soon  as  he  could  get  clear 
of  this  unfortunate  affair.  "Ah !  should  he  ever 
effect  that  object?  Had  he  not  sworn  to  do  that 
which  it  was  now  impossible  for  him  to  perform  ?" 
Something  manoeuvring  in  a  manner  he  could  not 
account  for,  at  a  short  distance,  through  the  forest, 
caught  his  eye.  He  was  able  to  distinguish  neither 
what  it  was  nor  the  nature  of  its  employment; 
though  it  was  his  opinion  it  belonged  to  the  order 
"man."  Influenced  by  this  belief,  and  that  he 
might  no  longer  remain  in  his  present  state  of 
ignorance,  he  drew  near.  As  he  did  so,  it  became 
evident  he  was  correct  in  his  surmise ;  and  a  clear 
scrutiny  revealed  his  ward,  George  "Washington, 
whose  motive  for  present  action  seemed  to  be  to 
conceal  something  in  the  earth.  He,  hearing  the 
sound  of  approaching  footsteps,  hastily  sprang  to 
his  feet.  The  "Gineral,"  as  he  had  now  been 
dubbed  by  his  sable  compeers,  after  gazing  for  a 
moment  in  utter  consternation  on  the  intruder, 
bore  himself  away  in  a  very  unsoldierly  manner. 

The  first  thought  of  Justus  was,  that  the  negro 


120  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

was  concealing  the  lost  paper,  and  he  did  not  delay 
a  moment  in  instituting  a  search.  The  precise  spot, 
owing  to  operations  not  having  been  completed, 
was  readily  found.  The  first  indication  of  the  work 
carried  on  was  a  portion  of  loose  dirt,  the  former 
resting-place  of  which  he  was  at  a  loss  to  deter- 
mine ;  but  soon  found  a  small  sod  that  had  been 
taken  up  unbroken,  and  afterward  replaced.  Re- 
moving this,  he  found  a  small  hole  well-nigh  filled 
with  earth  that  had  been  dug  from  it ;  and  still  be- 
neath that,  in  a  bed  of  grass,  carefully  placed  for  its 
reception,  was — surprising  sight ! — not  the  bill  of 
sale,  but  his  own  watch !  which,  till  that  moment, 
he  had  thought  safe  in  McMinime's  possession. 
After  congratulating  himself  on  his  good  fortune, 
he  found  time  to  devote  a  few  thoughts  to  matters 
connected  with  Sambo.  They  were  something  on 
this  wise:  "What  an  unaccountable  villain  that 
Sambo  is  !  And  can  it  be  possible  that  this  is  the 
selection  for  an  associate  I  have  made  in  this  new 
State  of  Texas  ?  Fortunate,  indeed,  is  it  for  me 
that  our  connection  is  ended!"  How  he  came  in 
possession  of  the  watch,  was  a  question  more 
easily  asked  than  answered,  though  this  was  matter 
of  but  little  concern,  as  it  had  now  found  its  way 
into  the  hands  of  its  proper  owner. 

Then  came  a  sudden  damper  over  his  joy,  in  the 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  121 

thought  that  perhaps,  under  the  circumstances,  it 
would  not  be  proper  for  him  to  keep  the  treasure ; 
for  did  it  not  in  reality  belong  to  Mr.  McMinime 
until  there  should  be  a  fair  settlement  between 
them  ?  Was  there  not  a  certain  condition  yet  to 
be  performed,  in  agreement  with  a  solemn  obliga- 
tion, before  he  could  claim  the  restoration  of  his 
pledge  ?  And  had  not  the  other  party  refused  to 
release  him  from  his  contract  ? 

Still  there  was  another  light  in  which  the  matter 

O 

could  be  viewed :  it  was  not  through  any  miscon- 
duct of  his  own  he  had  failed  to  comply  with  his 
engagements.  He  had  been  robbed  by  the  very 
person  for  whose  sake  he  had  entered  into  the  con- 
tract— for  whose  acts  the  master  should  certainly  be 
responsible.  A  further  consideration  was,  he  would 
cause  no  loss  to  any  one  by  retaining  what  he  had 
come  honestly  by.  He  had  returned  Mr.  McMin- 
ime's  servant,  and  was  ready  to  refund  the  money ; 
and  though  the  bill  of  sale  was  out  of  pocket,  being 
lost,  it  could  never  be  presented  to  the  injury  of 
any  one,  even  if  he  were  capable  of  harboring  such 
a  thouglit.  So,  every  thing  duly  considered,  he 
persuaded  himself  he  would  be  doing  nothing  but 
right  to  keep  the  watch,  making  no  disclosures. 

Meanwhile,  a  somewhat  similar  event  had  trans- 
pired   at    the    house.     McMinime   was   sitting  iu 


122  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

the  piazza,  with  an  open  book  in  his  hand.  But, 
though  his  eyes  wandered  over  the  page,  his 
thoughts  were  not  engaged  with  its  contents  :  they 
were  on  the  transactions  of  the  last  few  days.  The 
wholesome  advice  of  his  friend,  'Squire  Brown, 
occurred  to  him.  "What  shall  I  do  now?"  he  ex- 
claimed. "  I  expect  the  fellow  intends  to  act  hon- 
estly, and  has  really  lost  the  paper.  He  must  be 
released  from  his  suspense."  Then,  in  spite  of  his 
perplexities,  he  could  not  restrain  a  hearty  laugh 
at  the  thought  of  the  ludicrous  adventures  of  Jus- 
tus. The  laugh  was  interrupted  by  his  little  daugh- 
ter, who  came  running  to  him  exclaiming,  "  0  Pa ! 
what  is  this  ?  I  found  it  where  the  gentleman  emp- 
tied his  saddle-bags ;"  at  the  same  time  holding  out 
to  him  a  folded  paper.  Eagerly  opening  it,  it 
proved  to  be  the  document,  the  loss  of  which  had 
been  so  much  lamented. 

"Now  I  am  safe,"  he  said.  "And  knowing  that 
Mr.  Abolition  has  no  evil  design,  I  will  hesitate  no 
longer  to  comply  with  his  wishes.  But  I  will  say 
nothing  about  the  finding  of  this  paper  until  a  set- 
tlement is  effected ;  for  he  has,  by  his  criminal 
meddling,  deserved  all  the  mental  suffering  its  loss 
could  bring." 

At  this  moment,  a  neighbor,  with  whom  he  had 
a  business  settlement  to  arrange,  called  on  him ; 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K.  123 

and  putting  the  paper  in  the  book,  he  placed  it 
away,  intending,  at  his  leisure,  to  secure  it  more 
carefully.  The  arrangement  was  effected,  and  the 
neighbor  took  his  departure  ere  Justus,  the  tumult 
of  his  mind  partially  quieted,  joined  McMinime  at 
the  house.  He  was  ready,  on  his  part,  to  agree  to 
aught  the  other  might  propose,  provided  he  could 
only  be  freed  from  his  obligation.  But  as  the  mat- 
ter had  been  deferred  to  the  following  day,  and  as 
it  was  not  in  his  power  to  offer  any  more  favorable 
terms  than  he  had  already  presented,  he  disposed 
himself  to  endure  the  suspense  until  the  time 
should  have  arrived.  McMinime,  however,  was  not 
inclined  so  long  to  afflict  him. 

"I  have  been  thinking,  Mr.  Justus,"  he  said, 
"  of  this  case.  I  cannot  believe  it  is  your  intention 
to  deal  unfairly  with  me ;  and  knowing  you  must 
feel  some  inquietude  about  your  bond,  I  have  con- 
cluded, if  it  suits  your  convenience,  to  make  an 
even  exchange,  saying  nothing  about  the  bill  of 
sale." 

"  The  very  thing,  sir,  that  will  suit  my  conveni- 
ence !  "Not  only  so,  but  I  will  feel  myself  under 
obligations  to  you  for  thus  freeing  me  from  so  great 
a  trouble."  lie  debated  the  question  in  his  mind, 
whether  to  disclose  the  finding  of  the  watch,  or  to 
keep  it  a  secret ;  but  not  looking  sufficiently  into 


124  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

the  future  to  see  what  might  grow  out  of  it,  and 
thinking  only  of  an  offset  to  the  lost  paper,  he  said 
nothing. 

"I  will  bring  the  articles  at  once,"  said  McMini- 
me,  proceeding  at  the  same  time  to  perform  his  pro- 
mise. Justus  nerved  himself  to  hear  with  as  much 
surprise  as  might  be  the  announcement  which  he 
knew  was  to  be  made.  He  soon  returned,  surprise 
and  vexation  depicted  on  his  countenance.  "Mr. 
Justus,"  he  exclaimed,  "we  are  strangely  beset — 
the  watch  is  gone  !  I  have  kept  it  locked  up  in  my 
secretary,  and  no  longer  ago  than  to-day  I  saw  it 
there.  Surprised  by  your  approach,  I  left  the  secre- 
tary unlocked,  and,  as  the  consequence,  the  time- 
piece is  gone — stolen,  of  course.  Here  are  the  do- 
cuments I  received  of  you.  You  can  give  me  my 
receipt  for  the  watch,  which  is  all  I  ask  in  case  it  is 
not  recovered." 

Justus  was  not  so  well  prepared  for  this  ordeal  as 
to  endure  it  with  any  thing  like  the  calmness  he  de- 
sired. And  the  natural  surprise  he  wished  to  as- 
sume degenerated  into  open  confusion,  unobserved 
by  the  other  only  in  consequence  of  his  own.  But 
having  commenced  acting  a  part,  it  must  be  sus- 
tained. He  replied : 

"  Not  particularly  for  its  intrinsic  value,  but  for 
association's  sake,  I  could  hardly  meet  with  a  loss 


THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  125 

more  to  be  regretted ;  yet,  if  it  is  out  of  your  power 
to  return  the  watch,  I  must  be  content.  I  might 
with  reason  object  to  such  a  settlement,  yet,  in  emu- 
lation of  your  generosity,  waive  the  point.  Here 
are  your  receipt  and  money;  the  bill  of  sale  so 
strangely  lost  must  stand  in  lieu  of  the  missing 
watch." 

"  The  receipt  will  do  at  present,"  answered  the 
other;  "retain  the  money  until  morning,  when,  if 
your  pledge  is  not  found,  I  will  return  you  its  full 
value.  Being  last  in  my  possession,  it  is  but  proper 
that  I  should  sustain  the  loss." 


126  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

9 


CHAPTER  X. 

DIAMOND     CUT     DIAMOND. 
"  Lead  us  not  into  temptation." 

THE  eventful  day  had  closed,  and  as  the  hour  for 
repose  drew  on,  Justus  was  shown  to  his  apartment. 
Not  feeling  inclined  to  sleep,  he  took  up  a  book  with 
which  to  amuse  himself,  and  while  carelessly  turn- 
ing the  leaves,  a  loose  paper  fell  out.  Picking  it  up, 
it  presented  a  familiar  appearance,  when  a  hasty 
glance  proved  it  to  be  the  mysteriously  missing  bill 
of  sale. 

"  What  on  earth  can  that  black  scoundrel  mean !" 
was  his  sudden  ejaculation.  Then  a  light  broke 
upon  his  mind — he  had  not  put  the  paper  in  his 
pocket-book,  but  had  placed  it  inside  of  a  small 
blank-book,  carefully  laid  in  his  saddle-bags.  And 
how  he  had  managed  so  entirely  to  forget  this  cir- 
cumstance was  beyond  his  comprehension.  He  now 
concluded  the  negro  had  in  all  probability  never 
seen  it,  and  the  only  solution  he  could  offer  for  the 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  127 

question  of  its  present  whereabouts,  was  that  it  must 
have  been  dropped  while  making  his  examination. 
There  McMinime  himself  had  undoubtedly  found  it. 

Anger  at  the  palpable  duplicity  of  his  host  ban- 
ished every  other  emotion.  "Very  generous,  no 
doubt,  to  compromise,  with  every  advantage  ;  but  we 
shall  see  who  is  the  winner,"  muttered  he. 

Without  troubling  himself  to  reason  on  the  mo- 
rality of  his  course,  as  a  matter  of  retaliation,  he 
took  possession  of  the  document ;  yet  it  is  but  doing 
him  justice  to  say  he  had  no  intention  of  using  im- 
properly the  power  given  him  by  its  possession. 

He  now  felt  that,  as  an  act  of  mercy  to  the  sus- 
pected and  really  guilty  negro,  the  finding  of  the 
watch  should  be  disclosed ;  but  the  "  flagrant  double- 
dealing"  of  McMinime  deterred  him. 

Early  on  the  following  day,  Sambo  was  called 
upon  for  information  respecting  the  missing  watch, 
of  which,  as  a  matter  of  course,  he  expressed  pro- 
found ignorance.  Nor  could  either  persuasion  or 
threat  draw  any  thing  else  from  him  than  that  "  he 
hadn't  seed  no  watch,  an'  didn't  know  nuf 'n  'bout 
it  nudder." 

His  baffled  master  seemed  in  inexplicable  per- 
plexity. That  Sambo  was  the  thief  he  did  not 
doubt,  for  there  was  no  one  else  to  whom  it  could 
be  reasonably  charged ;  but  how  to  make  him  ac- 


128  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

knowledge,  and  reveal  the  place  of  its  concealment, 
seemed  beyond  his  power.  It  was  true,  he  had 
gained  his  end  on  the  previous  day  by  a  desperate 
resort,  but  such  remedies  would  not  answer  when, 
too  frequently  applied.  There  was,  then,  but  one 
hope :  if  the  prospect  of  a  severe  chastisement 
should  not  frighten  him  into  a  disclosure,  it  must  be 
inflicted,  and  that  failing,  it  would  be  useless  longer 
to  contend. 

"  Sambo,  this  is  the  last  time  I  will  ask.  Tell 
me  what  you  have  done  with  the  watch,  or  you  may 
regret  it.  I  do  not  wish  to  whip  you,  but  must  do 
so,  and  that  severely  too,  unless  you  at  once  tell  all 
about  it." 

"  I  dunno,  Mas'  Tom,  wah  no  watch  is.  I  haint 
seed  no  watch." 

At  this  moment,  McMinime  received  a  message 
from  his  wife,  requiring  his  immediate  attendance  at 
the  house.  He  obeyed  the  summons,  remarking, 
"  Here,  Mr.  Justus,  take  charge  of  this  fellow  till  I 
return.  Possibly  you  may  be  able  to  learn  some- 
thing." 

He  found  the  lady  highly  excited,  who,  holding 
something  in  her  hand,  exclaimed, 

"  Just  look  here  !     Is  not  this  strange  ?" 

"  Why,  what  can  be  the  matter,  that  you  are  so 
earnest?"  Then,  as  he  drew  near,  he  saw  the 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  129 

watch,  the  identical  article  for  which  Sambo  was 
now  in  duress. 

"Where  in  the  world  did  you  find  that,  wife?" 

"Betty,  while  arranging  the  room  in  which  the 
stranger  slept,  heard  the  ticking  of  a  watch  in  his 
saddlehags,  and,  knowing  the  circumstances  con- 
nected with  that  gentleman's  pledge,  without  stop- 
ping to  consider  the  propriety  of  the  act,  brought 
it  at  once  to  me." 

"The  villain!"  he  exclaimed,  taking  it  into  his 
hand,  to  assure  himself  of  its  identity.  "  How  this 
thing  could  have  come  into  his  possession  exceeds 
iny  calculation :  he  surely  cannot  be  guilty  of  an 
act  so  nearly  resembling  theft!"  And,  indeed,  he 
remembered  that,  previous  to  the  time  of  missing 
the  watch,  Justus  had  not  been  in  the  room.  "  Sam- 
bo is  concerned  in  this.  Here,  Betty,  put  this  thing 
where  you  found  it;"  and,  administering  a  well- 
deserved  reprimand  to  the  servant,  he  rejoined  his 
guest. 

It  was  his  intention  to  inform  Justus  of  the  new 
discovery,  and  at  once  dismiss  the  business ;  but 
on  his  return,  he  learned  from  the  latter  that  Sambo 
had  confessed  the  theft,  and  had  promised  to  show 
the  place  of  deposit.  Curious  to  witness  the  denoue- 
ment, he  withheld  his  disclosure,  and  signified  his 

willingness  to  join  in  the  search. 
5 


130  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Sambo  had  no  difficulty  iu  finding  the  place,  and 
his  surprise  and  alarm  were  apparent  at  the  absence 

of  the  article  he  had  there  deposited. 

• 

Justus  himself  affected  surprise,  and  inquiringly 
said, 

"Are  you  certain,  Sambo,  that  this  is  the  place, 
or  that  no  one  saw  you?  Perhaps  you  were  ob- 
served, and  the  watch  stolen  from  its  place  of  con- 
cealment." 

McMinime  had  said  Nothing.  His  surprise  ex- 
ceeded even  that  of  Sambo,  though  not  from  the 
same  cause.  He  well  knew  the  watch  was  not  there, 
but  was  astonished  at  the  manner  of  its  leaving. 
Suddenly  the  negro  exclaimed  : 

"  I  'spect  Mas'  Justus,  he  foun'  it ;  he  say  'e  seed 
me  a  hiden  it." 

"You  must  not  talk  so  of  Mr.  Justus,  Sambo. 
Had  he  found  it,  he  would  have  informed  me,  know- 
ing how  deeply  I  am  interested " 

The  tone  of  irony  changed,  and  the  gentleman 
paused,  as  he  reflected  how  nearly  he  himself  occu- 
pied the  position  about  to  be  charged  to  his  guest, 
who,  although  in  possession  of  the  watch,  might, 
at  the  proper  time,  make  satisfactory  explana- 
tion. 

"I  'spec'  he  did  doe,  Mas'  Tom,"  persisted  the 
negro.  "  He  tell  me  'e  know  I  hide  it,  an'  give  me 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  131 

dis  to  show  it;"  exhibiting,  at  the  same  time,  a  sil- 
ver coin. 

The  hiring  of  Sambo  to  show  the  watch  was  the 
effect  of  a  sudden  impulse,  to  save  him  from  the 
threatened  punishment,  without  a  thought  to  the 
inevitable  result:  no  sooner  had  it  been  effected, 
than  the  after  consideration,  presenting  itself,  would 
have  led  him  to  cancel  the  bargain,  but  the  return 
of  the  master  at  that  moment  left  him  no  alterna- 
tive. 

Evidently  confused,  the  other  replied,  "Yes; 
while  walking  yesterday,  I  observed  some  one,  who 
seemed  disposed  to  keep  himself  and  operations 
concealed ;  and,  as  I  approached  nearer,  he  fled  pre- 
cipitately. Learning  the  watch  was  gone,  I  felt 
Sambo  was  the  thief;  and  wishing  to  shield  him 
from  the  punishment  you  threatened,  I  intimated 
my  knowledge  of  his  crime,  and  induced  him  to 
show  where  he  had  lodged  the  stolen  article." 

This  speech  established  to  McMinime's  satisfac- 
tion the  duplicity  of  the  abolitionist.  Previous  to 
this  moment  there  was  some  slight  grounds  for  sus- 
pecting Sambo's  agency  in  the  finding  of  the  watch 
among  the  baggage  of  the  other,  but  his  own  ad- 
mission, together  with  his  carefully  guarded  lan- 
guage and  embarrassed  manner,  too  clearly  indi- 
cated his  guilt. 


132  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Smothering  Ms  anger  and  contempt,  he  deter- 
mined to  dispose  of  the  matter  at  once,  and  forth- 
with dismiss  the  abolitionist,  whose  longer  stay 
would  evidently  lead  to  trouble.  Turning  to  the 
slave,  he  sharply  asked. 

"Did  you  receive  that  money  from  this  gentle- 
man for  bringing  us  here  ?" 

"  Yes  suh ;  Mas'  Justus  gib  it  to  me  to  show  'im 
whah  'bouts  I  hid  de  watch." 

"  Hand  it  back  to  him  instantly.  I  do  not  hire 
people  about  me  to  commit  rascality." 

Justus  interposed,  as  the  negro  reluctantly  ex- 
tended the  money : 

"  0,  sir,  never  mind ;  I  would  prefer  that  he 
should  be  allowed  to  keep  it." 

"Never  mind,  you:  I  do  not  wish  my  servants 
hired  to  steal.  Receive  it  from  him ;  for  he  shall 
not  retain  it  under  any  consideration.  And  now, 
sir,"  he  continued,  "after  redeeming  my  promise, 
and  paying  for  your  lost  watch,  our  connection  will 
be  at  an  end,  and  you  can  depart  at  your  earliest 
convenience." 

Justus  was  not  really  dishonest,  and,  though 
taunted  by  the  words  of  the  slave-owner,  could  not 
allow  himself  to  accept  his  offer.  Could  he  have 
indeed  foreseen  the  termination  of  the  affair,  he 
would  at  first  have  disclosed  his  discovery  of  the 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K  .  133 

watch ;  but,  under  the  present  phase  of  things,  that 
was  not  to  be  thought  of. 

"No,"  he  replied;  "I  will  not  take  advantage 
of  the  generous  offer,  made  after  the  bill  of  sale 
had  left  my  possession.  I  will  try  and  evince  as 
much  liberality  as  yourself." 

"A  very  proper  spirit,"  half  sneeringly  remarked 
the  other ;  "  but  recollect  that  our  truce  has  ended, 
and  I  wish  no  more  of  my  hands  corrupted." 


134  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

AN    UNEXPECTED    MEETING. 
"Et  tu,  Brute!" 

AGAIN  the  abolitionist  addressed  himself  to  the 
task  of  carrying  out,  as  he  considered  it,  the  harsh 
and  unjust  order  received  at  the  camp-meeting,  to 
"leave  the  country."  Since  the  failure  of  his  late 
experiment,  he  had  abandoned  the  thought  of  a 
return  to  Boston — his  object  being,  to  seek  some 
other  and  more  favorable  location  at  which  to  con- 
duct his  observations.  Whether  or  not  this  was  in 
accordance  with  his  inclination,  it  was  now  a  neces- 
saiy  measure,  as  he  had  rashly  exposed  himself  as  a 
man  possessed  of  principles  dangerous  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  community.  To  be  able,  then,  to 
conduct  his  future  work  in  safety,  he  must  remove 
beyond  the  reach  of  those  in  whose  vicinity  this 
reprehensible  part  was  enacted. 

He  had  entirely  recovered  his  enthusiasm ;  and 
the  thought  of  abandoning  his  efforts  in  the  cause 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  135 

of  humanity — which,  during  his  perplexity  on 
Sambo's  account,  had  more  than  once  occurred — 
was  now,  if  possible,  at  a  farther  remove  than  ever 
before.  His  views,  however,  during  his  brief 
sojourn  in  the  South,  had  undergone  a  slight  modi- 
fication ;  and  he  did  not  now  feel  willing  to  impute 
to  every  one  owning  slaves  all  the  crimes  which  he 
had  ever  been  wont  to  associate  with  the  names 
of  those  whom,  in  his  ignorance,  he  had  been 
accustomed  to  hear  execrated,  and  to  denounce 
himself,  under  the  title  of  "slaveholder." 

As  remodelled,  his  creed  admitted  that  those 
owning  slaves  by  inheritance,  where  the  laws  did 
not  admit  their  liberation,  might  perhaps  retain 
them  in  servitude,  treating  them  kindly,  without 
wrong  ;  notwithstanding  the  thing  itself  was  no  less 
evil — the  responsibility  being  merely  shifted  to 
another  quarter.  This  being  his  opinion,  it  was 
still,  with  him,  a  righteous  act  to  restore  a  slave  to 
freedom  by  any  means  whatever. 

It  may  be  thought  this  change  was  a  matter 
of  small  importance;  but  to  Justus  it  assumed  a 
very  serious  aspect,  and  bade  fair  to  compromise 
him  with  his  Massachusetts  friends,  with  whose 
opinions  in  this  respect  he  was  in  direct  conflict. 
The  result  of  his  change,  when  communicated,  was 
considered  by  them  such  a  defection,  that  many 


136  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

entirely  discarded  him ;  and  an  association,  formed 
by  a  number  of  young  men  anxious  to  contribute 
their  mite  to  the  cause  of  philanthropy,  by  assisting 
in  preparing  for  the  press,  and  publishing,  a  work 
on  the  horrors  of  slavery,  was  at  once  broken  up — 
thus  leaving  Justus  to  depend  on  his  own  ex- 
ertions. 

With  his  change  of  views  came  also  the  percep- 
tion of  the  necessity  for  an  alteration  in  the  plan  of 
his  incipient  work,  or  a  material  addition  thereto. 
He  had  previously  thought  a  full  exposure  of 
slavery  was  alone  necessary  to  cause  its  hideousness 
fully  to  appear,  and  the  practice  to  be  for  ever  aban- 
doned ;  but  finding  in  the  system  circumstances 
that  in  some  measure  justified  those  concerned  with 
it,  something  more  than  a  simple  exposure  was 
needed  for  its  suppression.  In  regard  to  the  exact 
nature  of  the  change  demanded,  his  ideas  were 
rather  vague.  However,  to  invent  and  discuss  a 
plan  by  which  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  emanci- 
pation might  be  removed,  and  the  whole  slave 
population  liberated,  was  the  matter  for  considera- 
tion. To  carry  out  this  design  would  require  a  long 
and  close  examination,  not  only  of  the  system  of 
slavery,  but  of  the  whole  workings  of  Southern 
institutions.  For  this  he  resolved  to  labor — con- 
fining himself  to  no  one  locality,  but  selecting  tern- 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  137 

porary  residences  wherever  lie  might  be  able  to 
effect  any  thing  bearing  on  this  great  mission. 

While  engaged  in  this  manner,  marking  out  his 
future  course  of  action,  and  fancifully  depicting  his 
success,  he  was  wending  his  way,  he  knew  not 
whither;  but  as  the  distance  between  him  and 
McMinime's  was  rapidly  lengthening,  it  gave  him 
no  concern.  Having  made  up  his  mind  to  commit 
his  movements  for  the  present  to  chance,  or  Provi- 
dence, and  being  on  a  public  thoroughfare,  which 
must  needs  conduct  him  to  a  shelter  for  the 
night,  further  anxiety  on  the  subject  was  aban- 
doned. 

The  day  at  length  wore  away;  and  as  the  sun 
was  sinking  from  sight,  the  gratifying  prospect  of 
pleasant  quarters,  in  the  appearance  of  a  very  at- 
tractive residence,  cheered  the  tired  traveller.  His 
request  for  accommodations  met  with  a  prompt  re- 
sponse; but  scarcely  had  his  feet  touched  the 
ground,  when  a  friendly  hand  was  extended,  and  a 
familiar  voice  exclaimed:  "Why,  Justus!  Bless 
my  life  !  Where  did  you  spring  from  ?" 

A  warm  grasp  of  the  hand,  and  the  answering 
response,  "Well  done,  Sampson!"  gave  intimation 
that  friends  had  met. 

Mr.  Sampson  was  one  of  Justus's  Boston  asso- 
ciates, but  had  been  for  some  few  years  settled  in 


138  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Texas.  The  joy  of  the  latter  was  unbounded  in 
thus  meeting  in  a  strange  land  a  warm  personal 
friend,  whose  education  and  former  associations 
well  qualified  him  to  sympathize  in  his  present  ob- 
ject and  misfortune. 

"I  am  really  glad  to  see  you,  Justus,"  said  his 
host;  "you  have  arrived  very  opportunely,  too. 
My  brother  George,  whom  I  have  not  seen  since 
you  and  I  parted,  came  also  to-day :  we  will  have  a 
merry  meeting." 

"  Nothing  for  many  a  day,  I  assure  you,  has  given 
me  so  much  pleasure  as  this  circumstance,"  replied 
Justus,  who  mentally  continued,  "Nor  will  our 
pleasure  be  marred  by  the  sight  and  presence  of 
the  poor  oppressed  slave." 

"Jake!" 

"Sah!" 

"  Come  take  this  horse !" 

"Yes,  sah!" 

.  This  colloquy  broke  into  the  reflections  of  the 
abolitionist ;  and,  as  a  stout,  well-fed  African  made 
his  appearance  in  obedience  to  the  summons,  he 
could  not  repress  a  sigh  at  human  inconsistency 
established  in  the  fact  before  him,  of  his  friend's 
connection  with  the  hated  thing  of  slavery. 

On  entering  the  house,  he  met  the  mistress  of  the 
dwelling  and  the  younger  Sampson,  both  of  whom 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  139 

he  had  known  previously.  For  a  while  the  conver- 
sation was  general ;  referring  to  former  years  and 
the  scenes  of  early  life,  it  was  of  a  most  interesting 
character. 

"  Have  you  become  tired  of  a  city  life,  Carol  us, 
and  resolved  to  make  your  home  in  our  young 
State  ?'?  asked  the  elder  brother,  "  or  have  you  merely 
come,  like  George  here,  on  a  pleasure  trip?"  Jus- 
tus explained  the  design  of  his  visit,  which  was  re- 
ceived by  the  questioner  With  a  quiet  smile.  This 
was  annoying  to  the  abolitionist,  who  was  anxious 
to  read  his  friend  a  lecture  on  the  subject,  but  was 
perplexed  for  a  proper  starting-point.  The  younger 
brother  asking  something  in  regard  to  the  wages 
of  workmen,  happily  opened  the  way,  and  he  ac- 
cordingly inquired : 

"  John,  how  much  by  the  month  do  you  pay  that 
negro  man  you  have  here  ?" 

A  still  broader  smile  than  before  was  the  only 
answer,  while  the  younger  brother  indignantly  as- 
sumed the  reply : 

"Why,  he  gives  him  just  What  he  can  eat,  and 
the  few  clothes  he  wears." 

"  It  surely  cannot  be  possible  that  he  owns  him  ! 
he  who  once  so  bitterly  denounced  slavery  and 
slaveholders,  and  whom  I  have  so  often  heard  de- 
clare, in  the  language  of  Cowper : 


140          THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

'  I  had  much  rather  be  myself  the  slave, 
And  wear  the  bonds,  than  fasten  them  on  him.'  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  not  only  possible,  but  actually  certain. 
That  thing  he  calls  Jake,  stuck  in  that  cabin  yonder, 

is  his  slave,  as  well  as  Mrs.  Jake ,  whatever  he 

may  be  pleased  to  call  her ;  and  some  two  or  three 
little  Jakes.  And,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  though  I 
have  not  seen  him  for  yea,rs,  I  have  been  vexed  and 
grieved  with  him  ever  since  I  first  set  foot  in  his 
yard.  And,  on  this  account,  I  really  do  not  think 
I  can  afford  to  make  my  visit  half  so  long  as  I  had 
intended." 

"Gentlemen,  just  allow  me  to  inform  you  that 
you  know  nothing  in  regard  to  the  matter  of  which 
you  are  talking.  Remember  I  was  once  as  full  of 
such  notions  as  yourselves,  and  equally  honest  in 
them.  But  a  little  observation  has  convinced  me 
that,  though  such  fine  sentiments  as  those  of 
mine  just  alluded  to  may  sound  very  pretty  in 
some  localities,  they  are  but  little,  if  any,  short  of 
nonsense :  they  do  not  harmonize  with  the  actuali- 
ties of  life,  either  in  the  past  or  present." 

"  I  am  really  ashamed,  John,  no  less  than  surprised 
at  such  language ;  and  still  more  so  at  your  actions. 
Indeed,  I  am  really  horrified  at  the  thought." 

"  Well,  my  dear  brother,  can  you  inform  me  what 
it  is  that  so  strongly  excites  your  horror  ?" 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  141 

"  Simply  the  diabolical  thing  your  laws  recog- 
nize by  the  hateful  word  slavery ;  and  more  espe- 
cially my  brother's  connection  with  it." 

"  Beg  your  pardon  ;  you  do  not  state  the  case  ex- 
actly ;  it  would  be  more  proper  to  say  the  name  de- 
noting the  thing,  etc.  For  you  can  view  with  com- 
placency what  is  no  less  horrific  in  reality,  only 
bearing  a  different  name — never  mind  that,  though. 
But  why,  of  all  the  multiplied  ills  of  life,  have  you 
selected  slavery  as  the  object  of  your  philanthropy, 
or,  selecting  this,  by  what  means  do  you  design  to 
mitigate  its  evils?" 

"Emancipation  !"  ejaculated  the  others  in  chorus. 
"Nothing  can  be  plainer  than  that  this  would 
effectually  remove  the  evils  of  this  scourge  to  hu- 
manity." 

"  Perhaps  this  might  be  a  summary  process  of 
dispensing  with  slavery  in  its  present  form,  but  it 
would  inevitably  originate  evils  of  a  deeper  grade 
and  more  pernicious  influence.  To  say  nothing  of 
the  thousands  of  vicious  beings,  now  properly  re- 
strained, with  the  worst  passions  of  depraved  human 
nature  developed  in  their  largest  forms,  turned  loose 
upon  society  to  swell  the  catalogue  of  crimes,  and 
more  deeply  corrupt  the  world,  the  loss  to  the  in- 
dustrial resources  of  the  country  where  slave-labor 
is  so  well  rewarded  would  be  only  one  of  the  many 


142  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

calamities,  far  more  fatal  in  its  effects  than  all  the 
imaginary  ills  of  the  present  system  of  slavery  com- 
bined. Shut  up  the  brothels  at  home,  that  entice  to 
licentiousness  and  crime  ;  close  your  gambling-hells 
and  drinking-saloons,  that  lead  to  degradation  and 
death  in  their  most  revolting  forms,  before  you  be- 
gin a  crusade  against  the  fancied  ills  afflicting  the 
happy  negro,  existing  only  in  the  wild  vagaries  of 
fanatical  folly." 

"But  ours  is  a  free  country,"  replied  Justus; 
"  and  men  have  an  undoubted  right  to  spend  their 
leisure  time  in  such  amusements  or  enjoyments  as 
they  think  befitting;  and  the  law  throws  around 
them  its  strong  protection,  if  in  their  excesses  they 
violate  none  of  its  obligations." 

"If  you  justify  a  course  of  moral  evil,  because 
upheld  and  protected  by  civil  law,  shall  we  not 
plead  the  sanctions  of  the  same  law  in  vindication 
of  our  rights  ?  Rights,  too,  nowhere  in  the  canons 
of  inspired  truth  denounced  as  moral  evil.  Our 
slaves  are  our  property,  purchased  as  such,  and 
taxed  as  other  property ;  and  if  personal  rights  and 
enjoyments  are  not  by  government  to  be  infringed, 
our  rights  in  this  respect  are  as  sacred  and  inviol- 
able as  the  titles  to  our  homesteads.  But  apart 
from  all  this,  what  good  can  you  see  accruing  to  the 
slave  by  his  emancipation?" 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  143 

"  What  ?  why,  sir,  tens  of  thousands  of  most  mis- 
erable beings  will  be  restored  to  freedom  and  happi- 
ness." 

"  Does  your  experience  tell  you  that  the  condition 
of  the  free  negro  is  sufficiently  in  advance  of  that  of 
our  servants  to  justify  the  experiment  ?  The  idle, 
dissolute,  and  wretched  condition  of  the  larger  por- 
tion of  this  class  of  society,  is  a  sad  comment  on 
the  freedom  and  happiness  you  are  so  anxious  they 
should  enjoy  ;  while  the  oft-repeated  efforts  for  the 
liberation  and  elevation  of  the  slave  show  an  im- 
proper expenditure  of  false  sympathy,  that,  benefit- 
ing no  one,  has  conduced  to  untold  evil  to  the  un- 
fortunate slave,  who,  formerly  contented  and  happy 
in  his  lot,  finds  himself  in  a  condition  where  his 
natural  imbecility  offers  too  weak  a  resistance 
against  the  force  of  temptation  to  indolence  and 
degradation  continually  besetting  him." 

"  Yes,  but  there  are  exceptions.  Look  at  the  men 
of  note  among  the  free  negroes — Douglas,  etc." 

"  But  how  few  such  men  do  you  find  among  the 
many  thousands  of  free  negroes,  compared  to  the 
vast  crowd  of  the  worthless  vagabonds  to  be  met 
with !  That  there  are  some  intelligent  men  among 
the  former  class  is  no  evidence  that  freedom  develops 
their  capacity  or  talents ;  for  many  an  honest  slave 
rises  far  above  the  standard  of  mediocrity  among 


144  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

his  own  race.  There  is  ray  neighbor  Smith's  £  Uncle 
Abe/  who,  though  a  slave,  has  learned  to  read  very 
well ;  and  if  he  cannot  equal  a  Bascom  in  preach- 
ing powers,  he  is  yet  held  in  no  mean  estimation 
even  by  his  white  brethren.  Why,  sir,  if  this  man 
could  be  so  far  corrupted  as  to  escape  to  the  North — 
which  has  been  more  than  once  attempted — he 
would  be  lionized,  not  only  by  the  rabble,  but  his 
name  would  figure,  with  laudatory  commendations 
of  his  genius,  in  all  the  abolition  prints  of  the  coun- 
try. And  there  is  Stout's  '  Brother  Ben,'  not  a  whit 
behind  him,  besides  others  whom  I  could  mention 
in  my  limited  acquaintance." 

"  Well,  I  cannot  say  they  are  all  persons  of  intel- 
ligence, nor  yet  that  they  are  all  outwardly  in  a 
condition  to  enjoy  life  to  the  best  advantage.  But 
this  is  not  confined  to  themselves  alone — there  is 
unhappiness  the  wrorld  over ;  but  the  chances  for 
happiness  among  the  blacks  you  must  acknowledge 
to  be  in  favor  of  the  free  negroes." 

"I  can  acknowledge  nothing  of  the  kind;  for 
freedom  alone  cannot  supply  the  comforts  of  life. 
Good  slaves  are  one  of  the  happiest  classes  of  peo- 
ple. Their  few  wants  are  all  supplied,  and,  con- 
tent with  their  situation,  they  have  but  little  to 
annoy  them.  Now,  there  is  that  poor  Jake  you  are 
so  deeply  pitying,  as  happy  a  man,  I  have  no  doubt, 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  145 

as  can  well  be  found.  If  you  wish  to  see  a  picture 
of  earthly  bliss  and  contentment,  you  should,  unob- 
served, mark  him  among  his  family,  after  the  labors 
of  the  day.  And,  in  the  general,  so  far  as  my  ob- 
servations have  enabled  me  to  judge,  I  believe  the 
condition  of  the  free  negroes  at  the  lN"orth  is  infi- 
nitely worse  than  that  of  our  slaves. 

"But  come;  let  us  choose  some  other  topic  of 
conversation.  This  is  but  a  waste  of  breath.  You 
will  never  be  able  to  effect  the  change  you  desire 
here,  and  I  am  more  than  willing  for  you  to  hold 
just  such  opinions  as  suit  you." 

"  What  does  that  mean  ?"  asked  Justus,  as  a  voice 
engaged  in  earnest  prayer  rose  on  the  still  air,  but 
too  indistinctly  heard  to  convey  the  import  of  the 
words. 

"  That,"  said  the  elder  brother,  "  is  the '  thing  Jake,' 
at  his  evening  devotions,  and,  if  you  have  no  objec- 
tions, we  will  walk  out  and  take  a  stand  nearer,  that 
we  may  hear  what  he  has  to  say."  They  assented, 
and  the  two  silently  left  the  room. 

The  strangers  to  Jake  were  astonished  at  the  fer- 
vency of  his  petitions,  and  the  apparent  gratefulness 
evinced  for  the  mercies  acknowledged.  Among 
the  objects  of  special  supplication,  the  master  and 
mistress  were  affectionately  mentioned,  together 
with  the  strangers  sojourning  for  the  night.  The 


146  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

fervor  of  an  honest  heart  was  expressed  in  the  sim- 
ple, touching  pathos  of  his  voice,  while  his  language 
betokened  a  degree  of  intelligence  hardly  to  be  ex- 
pected in  one  of  his  condition. 

At  the  close  of  the  prayer,  he  began  a  hymn  in  a 
rich,  clear,  melodious  voice,  in  which  the  mellow, 
sweet  tones  of  his  wife  joined.  As  the  singing 
proceeded,  the  visitors  stood  spell-bound  under  the 
influence  of  deep  emotion.  The  interest  deepened 
as,  with  evident  feeling,  was  warbled  forth, 

"  The  things  eternal  I  pursue — 
A  happiness  beyond  the  view 

Of  those  that  basely  pant 
For  things  by  nature  felt  and  seen : 
Their  honors,  wealth,  and  pleasures  mean 

I  neither  have  nor  want. 

No  foot  of  land  do  I  possess, 
No  cottage  in  this  wilderness ; 

A  poor  wayfaring  man, 
I  lodge  a  while  in  tents  below, 
Or  gladly  wander  to  and  fro 

Till  I  my  Canaan  gain." 

The  singing  ended.  At  the  suggestion  of  the 
owner,  they  entered  the  cabin.  Both  Jake  and 
Hetty  seemed  surprised  at  the  visit,  but  received 
the  gentlemen  with  frank  politeness. 

"Jake,"  said  his  master,  "these  gentlemen  have 
taken  a  notion  that  you  are  a  miserably  unhappy 
being.  Is  it  so?" 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  147 

At  this  remark  Hetty  quietly  laughed,  and  re- 
marked, in  an  undertone,  sufficiently  loud  to  be 
heard, 

"Mis'able,  indeed!  I'd  like  to  know  what  put 
dat  in  dar  heads." 

Jake  answered,  "£To,  indeed,  Mas'  John ;  I  b'leve 
I's  as  happy  a  person  as  lives.  I  jis  hope  they 's 
no  more  mis'able  than  I  is.  Why  they  think  so  ?" 

"  They  seem  to  think  you  would  be  glad  of  a 
chance  to  leave  me,  and  set  up  business  on  your 
own  hook,  or  to  be  free." 

"They's  as  much  mistaken  thar  as  before.  I 
dunno  what  I  might  wish,  Mas'  John,  if  I  did  not 
know  I  ain't  fit  for  nuf'n  else  than  jis  what  I  is ; 
but  I'm  well  satisfied  with  that.  Contentment's 
better 'n  any  thing  else,  an'  this  makes  me  happy." 

After  a  few  more  words,  the  party  withdrew,  with 
a  kind  "  Good-night." 

The  argument  was  not  renewed,  and  from  the 
serious  and  silent  manners  of  the  guests,  it  was  evi- 
dent they  were  busy  with  their  own  reflections. 
Conversation  being  thus  at  an  end,  the  party  soon 
separated  and  retired  for  the  night. 

After  a  f$w  days  spent  agreeably,  Justus  took  his 
leave,  pleased  at  the  result  of  his  providential  meet- 
ing, in  which  he  had  seen  slavery  in  a  new  phase, 
and  obtained  some  further  insight  into  the  argu- 


148  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

ments  employed  in  its  favor.  As  he  rode  slowly 
down  the  lane,  he  mentally  exclaimed,  "  Who  would 
have  thought,  five  years  ago,  that  this  man,  then  so 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  freedom,  would  at  this  time 
actually  be  a  slaveholder  !  But  the  weakness  of  some 
men  is  to  be  pitied.  Their  principles  too  easily 
give  way  under  the  influence  of  temptation  or  evil 
association." 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  149 


CHAPTEE    XII. 

PROFITABLE     EMPLOYMENT. 

"  Delightful  task  !  to  rear  the  tender  thought, 
And  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot." 

THE  questions,  "What  shall  I  eat?  what  shall  I 
drink?  and  wherewithal  shall  I  be  clothed?"  are 
rather  of  an  undignified  character,  having  neither 
poetry  nor  romance  connected  with  them;  yet, 
under  certain  circumstances,  will  they  be  ever  re- 
curring. The  condition  of  Mr.  Justus  at  this  time 
was  such  as  to  make  these  ideas  rather  prominent 
in  his  calculations ;  for,  on  taking  an  exact  inven- 
tory of  all  his  available  means,  he  found  the  solu» 
tion  of  these  questions,  beyond  a  very  limited  pe- 
riod, an  extremely  difficult  problem. 

His  reduced  state  of  finances  was  owing  to  a  fail- 
ure in  receiving  remittances ;  and  as  relief  from  this 
quarter  wa^s  still  uncertain,  it  became  important  to 
decide  on  some  pursuit  by  which  to  supply  present 
wants,  at  least,  if  not  to  provide  for  future  opera- 
tions. He  had  never  marked  out  his  sphere  with 


150  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

the  common  herd,  and  was  wholly  unprepared  to 
delve ;  yet,  possessing  great  self-reliance,  with  con- 
siderable ability,  he  felt  assured  success  in  some 
calling  awaited  him. 

Though  at  first  quite  repugnant  to  his  feeling, 
the  vocation  of  teacher  was  selected ;  and,  as  the 
least  objectionable  form  of  that  employment,  he 
decided  on  securing  the  post  of  private  tutor  in 
some  respectable  and  wealthy  family.  This  ar- 
rangement was  happily  effected,  and  he  found  him- 
self pleasantly  domiciliated  in  the  family  of  Mr. 
Holmes,  an  intelligent  planter,  with  a  large  number 
of  slaves ;  affording  him  the  opportunity,  while  at 
his  legitimate  business,  to  conduct  his  previously- 
prescribed  course  of  observation. 

The  residence  wTas  in  a  beautiful  and  fertile  sec- 
tion of  country,  rather  sparsely  populated — the 
cause  of  former  failures  to  support  a  school.  This, 
together  with  a  preference  of  the  gentleman  for 
having  his  children  taught  at  home,  made  Justus's 
application  quite  opportune. 

His  pupils  were  agreeable,  and  the  task  of  in- 
struction, which  he  feared  would  be  irksome,  turned 
out  in  realit}7  to  be  a  pleasant  recreation.  Rosa- 
lind, a  sweet  girl  of  fifteen,  handsome  and  intelli- 
gent, was  quite  well  advanced,  yet  requiring  some 
future  assistance,  especially  in  music.  Leonidas, 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  151 

some  two  years  younger,  rather  neglected  since 
leaving  their  Virginia  home,  had  not  made  much 
proficiency ;  while  Semiramis,  Isabella,  and  Theo- 
dore were  more  youthful  disciples,  and  yet  in  the 
rudiments. 

Having  been  taught  prudence  by  his  former  ex- 
perience, the  real  character  of  the  tutor  was  not 
suspected.  Possessed  of  a  handsome  person  and 
agreeable  manners,  he  formed  a  welcome,  addition 
to  the  household,  while  the  faithful  performance 
of  his  allotted  duties  gave  universal  satisfaction. 
His  charge  were  much  the  same  as  other  young 
people,  requiring  the  patience  of  their  teacher  to 
conquer  the  aversion  of  the  younger  portion  to 
study,  and  break  them  of  a  fondness  for  sport  and 
other  irregularities,  to  which  juveniles  are  so  much 
inclined. 

Justus  met  with  marked  success  in  his  new  pur- 
suit. The  facility  with  which  he  wrought  his  way 
into  the  affections  of  his  pupils,  and  made  himself 
acquainted  with  their  natural  inclination  and  pecu- 
liarities, was  astonishing,  even  to  himself;  while 
their  rapid  advancement  was  matter  of  sincere 
gratulation,  as  insuring  the  extension  of  the  good 
opinion  his  success  had  already  created.  Indeed, 
so  strongly  did  these  facts  arrest  his  attention,  that 
occasionally  doubts  would  arise  whether  he  had  not 


152  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER. 

mistaken  his  proper  sphere  of  action ;  and  if  he 
would  not  be  able  to  confer  more  benefit  on  his 
kind  as  instructor  of  youth,  than  by  all  the  aboli- 
tion efforts  he  could  make.  Yet  these  thoughts 
were  but  momentary ;  his  settled  purpose  being,  by 
all  means  in  his  power,  to  advance  the  great  object 
of  his  life — the  work  which  he  fondly  hoped  was  to 
strike  the  death-blow  to  slavery.  He  was,  there- 
fore, as  far  as  a  strict  regard  for  prudence  would 
permit,  ever  on  the  alert  for  whatever  might  fur- 
ther his  undertaking. 

His  operations  at  the  camp-meeting  were  of  too 
notorious  and  exciting  a  character  to  be  soon  for- 
gotten, or  confined  to  the  locality  witnessing  them. 
They  found  their  way  into  the  public  journals,  and 
he  was  subjected  to  more  than  one  ordeal,  in  listen- 
ing to  the  various  current  versions  of  the  affair, 
and  the  invariably  accompanying  strictures.  At 
one  time,  soon  after  becoming  an  inmate  of 
Mr.  Holmes's  family,  while  seated  in  the  parlor, 
that  gentleman,  after  a  sudden  hearty  laugh, 
handed  to  Justus  a  newspaper  from  which  he  had 
been  reading,  remarking:  uJust  read  that,  will 
you?" 

His  excitement  prevented  the  discovery  of  Jus- 
tus's confusion  as  he  read : 

"A  GOOD  ONE. — We  learn  from  a  late  exchange 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  153 

that  a  gentleman  direct  from  the  North  was  re- 
cently found  at  a  camp-meeting,  near  one  of  our 
county  towns,  endeavoring  to  persuade  slaves  to 
abscond.  It  is  said  he  had  obtained  the  consent 
of  one  or  two  to  accompany  him  to  a  free  State ; 
when  he  was  taken  in  hand,  and  treated  to  a  ride 
on  a  rail  and  a  dip  in  the  creek.  We  have  no  later 
advices  from  this  worthy,  but  presume  this  mode 
of  treatment  has  cooled  his  ardor,  and  put  it  into 
his  head  to  return  home.  It  may  be,  however,  that 
he  is  trying  his  fortunes  in  some  other  portion  of 
the  State,  and  our  readers  would  do  well  to  look 
sharp." 

Justus  of  course  joined  in  the  laugh,  but  the 
sound  was  its  only  reality  ;  and  in  that,  he  was  not 
far  behind  Holmes  himself. 

"It  is  really  strange  to  me,"  said  Holmes,  "that 
these  abolitionists  will  expose  themselves  to  such 
risks  in  their  madness.  Some  of  them,  too,  with 
an  energy  worthy  of  a  better  cause." 

"Perhaps,"  replied  Justus,  recovering  his  self- 
possession,  "they  may  think  their  cause  a  good 
one.  Otherwise  their  earnestness  seems  unaccount- 
able." 

"Perhaps  they  may;  but  this  does  not  at  all  ex- 
cuse them." 

Quite    on    his    guard,    the    abolitionist    warily 


154  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

replied:    "I  did  not   say,  by  any  means,  that  it 
did." 

Holmes  was  soon  again   absorbed  in  his   paper, 
and  the  subject  was  allowed  to  rest. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  155 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

TOO     CONSERVATIVE. 

"  How  look  I, 

That  I  should  seem  to  lack  humanity 
So  much  as  this  fact  comes  to  ?" 

JUSTUS  considered  his  present  engagement  only 
in  the  light  of  a  short  digression  from  his  proper 
course,  which  he  would  resume  so  soon  as  the 
receipt  of  funds,  shortly  expected,  should  enable 
him  to  do  so.  But  his  hopes  were  scattered  by  one 
fell  blow  of  fate.  It  has  been  stated  that  he  had 
informed  his  friends  of  some  slight  change  in  his 
views  in  regard  to  Southern  slavery ;  and  that  they, 
considering  it  a  matter  of  vast  importance,  had 
abandoned  him  as  one  whose  principles  they  could 
not  endorse,  and  by  whose  labors  in  the  field  of 
abolitionism  they  could  not  hope  to  prosper.  The 
sad  blow  came  from  this  quarter.  Up  to  this  time 
he  had  received  no  official  information  as  to  the 
manner  of  the  reception  of  his  communications ; 
yet  he  did  not  imagine  there  was  any  thing  in  them 


156  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

objectionable,  coming  as  they  did  from  so  staunch, 
a  friend  to  the  slave  as  himself.  For  weary  weeks 
he  had  been  looking  for  the  remittance  and  cheer- 
ing words  of  comfort  and  encouragement.  At 
length  his  hopes  seemed  about  to  be  realized,  and 
the  long-expected  letter  came.  With  joyful  eager- 
ness he  broke  the  seal — heart-chilling  discovery ! 
There  was  not  the  pecuniary  aid  he  expected; 
there  were  no  cordial  salutations,  but  merely  these 
cold  words : 

"A  letter  received  from  you  in  Texas  needs  no 
explanation.  We  can  only  say  we  were  gained  to 
receive  such  a  communication  ;  for  we  did  consider 
you  an  incorruptible  philanthropist.  Yet  we  can- 
not esteem  any  man  who  can  be  so  suddenly 
changed,  and  to  the  extent  your  communication 
indicates,  as  longer  worthy  our  confidence.  Our 
advice  would  be,  to  return  home  before  you  become 
fully  imbued  with  the  principles  you  sought  to 
combat,  if  it  be  not  already  too  late  to  save  your- 
self. For,  when  one  of  our  party  can  make  the 
admission  that  slaves  can  be  innocently  held  in 
bondage,  he  is  in  a  fair  way  himself  to  become 
a  slaveholder  ! 

"  You  will  understand  that  the  association  formed 
to  aid  in  publishing  a  work  on  the  horrors  of 


THE    YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E- D  E  A  L  E  K.  157 

slavery  no  longer  exists  ;  and  we  would  at  no  time 
be  surprised  to  learn  that  your  noble  mission  had 
been  prostituted  to  a  defence  of  said  devilish 

system. 

"Yours,  etc." 

For  a  while  the  mortified  abolitionist  felt  over- 
powered with  indignation;  and  hurriedly  pacing 
the  room,  he  tore  the  unconscious  missive  to 
ribbons. 

"And  has  it  come  to  this  ?"  he  said.  "  The  taunt 
of  that  puff  of  a  Southerner,  who  insinuated  a  pro- 
bability of  a  change  in  my  views,  was  hard  enough 
to  bear !  but  that  my  friends  should  impeach  my 
consistency,  is  more  than  I  can  bear !  I  become  a 
slaveholder !  I  write  a  work  in  defence  of  slavery  ! 
I !  who,  for  love  of  the  slave,  have  voluntarily 
exiled  myself;  who,  in  the  very  stronghold  of  the 
c  dark  power,'  have  dared  risk  my  life  to  show  him 
what  he  is,  and  what  he  might  be ;  and  who  can 
demonstrate  that  dangers  have  been  braved,  and 
the  binding  obligation  of  a  solemn  oath  assumed, 
in  the  face  of  difficulties,  for  the  purpose  of  freeing 
only  one  of  this  unfortunate  class  ! 

"  But  let  them  go.  I  can  do  without  them,  and 
they  shall  know  it.  They  did  me  a  kindness  by 
assisting  me  in  the  outset ;  but  that  shall  be  repaid. 
Then,  if  I  wish  to  become  a  slaveholder,  they  will 


158  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

share  none  of  its  responsibility.  A  slaveholder! 
Was  I  not  a  slaveholder  when  under  oath  to  liberate 
the  ungrateful  Sambo  ?  and  have  I  not  that  now  in 
my  possession  which  still  proves  me  to  be  one? 
But  has  this  affected  my  consistency  ?  Am  I  not 
as  loyal  to  my  principles  as  ever  ?  Yes !  and 
nothing  could  ever  induce  me  to  use  my  power  but 
the  opportunity  of  giving  to  that  individual  the 
liberty  he  seems  so  lightly  to  esteem." 

A  letter  was  speedily  penned  by  the  persecuted 
philanthropist,  embodying  the  substance  of  the 
above  reflections ;  containing,  besides,  an  account 
of  the  prominent  points  in  his  transactions  with 
McMinime  and  Sambo.  He  regretted  his  friends 
could  not  see  things  through  the  medium  his 
position  offered,  and  that  he  should  be  condemned 
for  opinions  to  which  he  had  been  irresistibly 
driven,  and  which  they  themselves  would  embrace, 
with  his  opportunity  of  observation.  His  book  was 
still  to  be  forthcoming;  and,  so  far  from  being  a 
defence  of  slavery,  it  would  expose  more  fully  the 
other  side  of  the  question  than  originally  contem- 
plated. He  concluded  with  the  hope  that  their 
hasty  decision  would  injure  neither  him  nor  his 
great  work. 

His  long-cherished  hopes  of  assistance  being  thus 
cut  off,  he  found  consolation  in  the  thought  that 


THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K  .  159 

whatever  honors  might  attach  to  the  production  of 
such  a  volume,  would  rest  alone  on  himself.  Yet 
he  saw  he  had  "been  too  sanguine  in  his  expectation 
of  an  early  completion  of  the  work ;  for,  though  in 
the  midst  of  the  field  in  which  his  materials  were 
to  be  collected,  his  supply  fell  far  short  of  his  cal- 
culations ;  and  he  even  found  himself  several  times 
on  the  point  of  admitting  that  the  system  with 
which  he  warred  might  have  some  grounds  for  de- 
fence. But  on  such  occasions  he  would  reason 
that  he  had  been  permitted  to  see  only  the  milder 
forms  of  its  workings ;  but  that  in  his  further  in- 
vestigations its  true  character  would  certainly  be 
developed. 

While  suffering  under  his  wrongs,  and  laboring 
against  his  various  disappointments,  he  had  been  led 
to  hesitate,  and  even  at  one  time  contemplate  the 
entire  abandonment  of  the  enterprise ;  yet  his  de- 
termination in  his  calmer  moments  was,  that  it  must 
be  carried  on  at  all  hazards. 

As  yet  the  work  was  in  a  chaotic  state,  but  the 
plan  was  duly  arranged,  and  the  thrilling  annals  of 
untold  sufferings  to  be  forthcoming  would  tingle  the 
ears  of  an  outraged  community. 

In  the  quiet  of  his  city  home,  Justus  had  never 
thought  of  such  a  thing  as  mirth  or  enjoyment 
among  the  poor  overwrought  slaves  of  the  South. 


160  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

It  was  more  in  consonance  with  his  tenets  to  pic- 
ture them  groping  their  way  to  their  wretched 
hovels,  and  still  more  wretched  beds,  after  being 
driven  from  early  morn  till  far  towards  the  "  noon 
of  night,"  by  some  grim  overseer;  having  perhaps 
been  subjected,  previously  to  being  allowed  this  poor 
luxury,  to  a  most  brutal  castigation,  to  gratify  the 
gust  for  such  sport  of  his  inhuman  master.  His  as- 
tonishment may  then  be  imagined,  in  witnessing  the 
scenes  detailed  in  the  following  chapter. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  161 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE    WEDDING. 

"  On  with  the  dance  !     Let  mirth  be  unconfined." 

THERE  were  preparations  for  some  kind  of  merry- 
making going  on  at  Mr.  Holmes's,  the  nature  of 
which  Justus  was  at  some  loss  to  determine.  Judg- 
ing from  the  unusual  bustle  in  the  kitchen,  observ- 
able in  his  passing  about,  it  was  no  common  matter. 
Under  ordinary  circumstances  he  would  have  felt 
no  concern  for  any  thing  of  the  kind  ;  but  on  the 
present  occasion  he  had  an  anxiety  to  know  the 
cause — one,  too,  which  the  coveted  knowledge  would 
at  once  have  dissipated.  One  of  his  pupils  was  but 
a  small  portion  of  the  usual  time  under  his  superin- 
tendence. This,  together  with  the  other  signs  visi- 
ble, led  him  to  fear  that  the  young  lady  was  about 
to  be  removed  altogether  from  his  charge — an  event 
by  no  means  delightful  to  contemplate.  For  in  the 
midst  of  his  arduous  labors  of  giving  instruction  to 


162  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

his  younger  and  more  thoughtless  pupils,  the  agree- 
able manners  of  Rosalind,  and  the  force  of  her  ex- 
ample on  the  others,  made  her  an  auxiliary  in  the 
work;  to  say  nothing  of  the  pleasure  it  afforded  to 
have  it  in  his  power  to  communicate  instruction  to 
one  so  eager  to  receive,  and  so  prompt  to  appreci- 
ate the  efforts  made  for  her  benefit.  He  found  him- 
self far  less  than  ordinarily  satisfied  with  his  posi- 
tion while  surrounded  by  his  now  diminished  class. 
To  the  communicativeness  of  little  Isabella  he  owed 
it  that  he  was  not  long  suffered  to  remain  in  sus- 
pense as  to  the  cause  of  his  disquiet.  Having 
learned  the  same  herself,  she  could  not  be  satisfied 
until  her  tutor  was  informed  that  "  Sis.  Rosalind" 
was  helping  to  make  Sue's  wedding-dress.  Little 
did  she  imagine  the  satisfaction  her  words  gave. 
Justus  was  now  at  ease,  so  far  as  his  former  fears 
were  concerned,  and  had  only  to  regret  the  days  yet 
to  pass  before  his  school-room  would  possess  its 
wonted  attraction. 

"  Sue,"  he  knew  as  the  "house-girl,"  whose  spright- 
liness  and  perfect  contentedness,  together  with  the 
neatness  of  all  her  arrangements,  had  often  attracted 
his  attention.  Yet  so  rejoiced  was  he  at  the  infor- 
mation received,  that  it  was  some  time  ere  he  could 
recollect  himself  sufficiently  to  make  the  proper 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  168 

reflections  on  the  singular  interest  manifested  in  a 
slave  marriage. 

Days  wore  on,  and  the  one  so  anxiously  prepared 
for  was  at  length  ushered  in.  As  the  evening  drew 
near,  Justus  was  surprised  to  see  crowds  of  negroes, 
comprising,  as  he  rightly  estimated,  all  in  the  entire 
neighborhood,  wending  their  way  to  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Holmes.  They  came,  some  on  foot,  some  on 
horseback,  in  merry  groups,  making  the  circum- 
jacent woods  ring  with  their  pleasant  jokes  and 
hearty  laughs,  accompanied  ever  and  anon  by 
snatches  of  song,  religious  or  otherwise,  according 
to  the  taste  of  the  singer.  And  from  different 
groups,  or  from  different  persons  in  the  same  group, 
would  arise  at  the  same  time,  in  tones  of  real 
melody,  some  devotional  strain,  such  as, 

"Alas  !  and  did  my  Saviour  bleed!" 

and, 

"  Git  out  o'  de  way,  ole  Dan  Tucker," 

or  something  kindred  to  it ;  each  gallant,  the  mean- 
while, most  assiduous  in  attentions  to  his  "fair" 
partner.     Occasionally  a  colloquy,  something  on  the 
following  order,  would  engage  the  attention  of  and 
afford  momentary  amusement  for  the  whole  party : 
"Hello,  Bill,  whah  you  recon  Tony  is  now?" 
"Ah!  boy,  dat  mor'n  dis  chile  know;  but  'spec 
he 's  sueakin  'bout  somewhah,  laf 'n'  at  de  way  he 


164  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

cut  me  out.  But  jis  see  'f  I  don't  fix  'ira  for  it ;  I'll 
break  'is  neck,  or  shoot  'um  off  at  de  knees.  To  go 
right  by  me,  an'  take  Miss  Susan  'way,  for  all  he 
know'd  I  'd  a  liked  to  a  had  her  myself." 

"So  rock  de  cradle,  Lucy, 
And  listen  to  my  song," 

he  sings. 

"Yah,  yah  !     Hurrah  for  Tony  !" 

Arrived  near  the  premises,  all  noisy  mirth  ceased, 
and,  entering  the  yard  in  perfect  order,  they  dis- 
posed themselves  according  to  their  several  tastes, 
to  pass  the  time  most  pleasantly  till  the  important 
moment  should  arrive. 

Justus  saw  and  heard  the  rabble,  as  he  termed  it, 
approaching  in  the  height  of  their  glee  and  noise ; 
nor  could  he  at  first  divine  the  meaning  of  this  vast 
turnout,  unless  it  might  be  that  the  poor,  oppressed 
slave  had  at  length  resolved  on  a  general  rise  for 
the  purpose  of  vindicating  his  rights. 

You  may  smile  at  his  simplicity,  plain  matter- 
of-fact  reader ;  yet  such  a  thing  actually  possessed  his 
mind  until,  bethinking  himself  of  their  pacific  appear- 
ance, as  well  as  of  the  gay  visitors  recently  arrived 
in  the  persons  of  some  of  their  masters  and  mis- 
tresses, who  had  preceded  them  in  their  carriages, 
he  began  to  receive  new  light.  He  now  recollected 
having  heard  something  in  regard  to  a  wedding 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  165 

that  was  to  take  place ;  and  though  not  before 
dreaming  of  such  a  parade  over  the  affair,  the  con- 
viction at  length  settled  upon  him  that  this  in  fact 
was  the  cause  of  the  present  influx  of  sable  faces. 
Then  he  mused : 

"  What  in  the  world  does  Holmes  mean  in  col- 
lecting all  this  rout  on  his  premises  ?  A  pretty  time 
there  will  be  here  to-night,  truly !  It  will  be  surpris- 
ing if  the  poor  untaught  wretches  do  not  tear  down 
his  house,  or  perform  some  other  outrageous  act." 

But  when  they  put  on  their  grave  demeanor  upon 
nearing  the  house,  his  astonishment  took  a  different 
turn,  being  surprised  that  they  should  so  becomingly 
conduct  themselves.  He  then,  too,  first  found  lei- 
sure to  observe  their  outfit,  which  in  nowise  di- 
minished his  surprise.  For  though  not  regulated 
by  any  particular  fashion,  but  of  all  styles  and 
colors,  there  was  quite  an  imposing  show  of  delaines, 
merinoes,  swiss,  etc.,  among  the  females,  while  the 
males,  with  equal  pride  and  satisfaction,  displayed 
their  cassimere,  cassinet,  and  broadcloth. 

"  Can  it  be  possible,"  thought  he,  "that  there  is 
such  a  semblance  of  happiness  among  persons  so 
situated  ?  As  anxious  to  make  a  display  in  dress  as 
the  gayest  of  their  superiors !  To  see  them,  and 
hear  their  merriment,  one  might  fancy  they  had 
never  known  care.  Might  not  such  scenes  as  this 


166  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

lead  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  something  in 
the  very  nature  of  the  negro,  pointing  him  out  as 
capacitated  only  for  the  condition  in  society  held  by 
these  persons  ? 

"  No,  it  cannot  be.  This  happy  seeming  is  only 
put  on  for  show ;  it  is  all  hollow ;  or,  at  least,  the 
result  of  ignorance  of  the  wrongs  they  endure,  and 
of  the  rights  of  which  they  are  deprived.  Yet  are 
not  all  the  pleasures  of  this  world,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent, hollow  ?  And  if  a  person  can  enjoy  himself, 
even  though  having  real  cause  for  unhappiness, 
which  yet  he  does  not  see,  is  it  not  the  part  of  wis- 
dom, of  humanity,  to  allow  him  to  remain  unde- 
ceived? Ah!  but  the  mind!  Should  not  the 
immortal  soul  be  thought  of?  Yet  may  not  the 
state  of  these  persons  be  as  favorable  for  piety  as  it 
seems  to  be  adapted  to  enjoyment?" 

The  scene  was  too  unusual,  presenting  too  many 
objects  worthy  of  attention,  to  admit  of  longer 
time  for  reflection  or  moralizing ;  so,  noting  this 
down  as  a  matter  for  future  consideration,  he  ad- 
dressed himself  to  the  close  observation  of  what 
was  transpiring  around  him. 

"Is  Brother  Burns  come,  Miss  Rosy?"  asked 
the  expectant  bride,  of  her  young  mistress,  who,  as 
the  evening  drew  on.  came  to  see  that  every  thing 
was  in  proper  order. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  167 

"  No,  Sue,  he  has  not  arrived  yet,  and  I  am  afraid 
he  will  not  be  able  to  do  so,  on  account  of  the 
recent  heavy  rains,"  answered  she,  quite  seriously; 
but  continuing,  with  a  merry,  light-hearted  laugh, 
"You  need  not  be  concerned  about  that.  Uncle 
Simon's  here,  and  that  amounts  to  the  same  thing, 
as  he  can  perform  the  ceremony  quite  as  well.  I 
have  seen  him  marry  several  couples,  and  he  offici- 
ates with  so  much  dignity  and  propriety,  I  have 
thought  of  calling  his  services  into  requisition  when 
my  time  comes.  0!  I -forgot;  I  am  not  going  to 
marry  at  all,  you  know." 

"  I  dunno  any  sich  thing,  Miss  Rosy.  If  you 
ain't,  that  Mr.  "What's-'s-name  is  wastin'  a  heap  o' 
time  comin'  here  so  much." 

This  sally  of  Susan's  brought  her  a  general  burst 
of  applause  from  the  bridesmaids  and  others  in  at- 
tendance. 

"  Well  done,  Sue !  He,  he,  he  !  Dat  's  a  good  un, 
shoah ;  an'  its  de  truf,  too,  far  jis'  see  how  Miss 
Rosy's  plagued." 

"  0  he  just  comes  to  visit  father,  and  pass  off  the 
time.  You  know  he  seldom  ever  sees  me,  any- 
how." 

"  He  wasn't  visitin'  Mas'  Joe  last  Sunday  evenin', 
when  you  and  him  was  walkin' " 

"Be  done  with  your  nonsense;   you  tell  every 


168  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

thing  you  know.  But  that  just  happened  so  at  that 
time.  It  is  no  sign  of — a  wedding." 

It  was  now  the  unanimous  decision  of  her  sable 
attendants  that  Sue  was  "hard  to  beat,"  and,  fur- 
thermore, that  there  was  something  of  truth  in  her 
insinuations,  as  testified  by  Miss  Eosy's  blushes, 
which  didn't  go  for  nothing.  "And  they  would  not 
be  one  bit  surprised  if  there  should  soon  be  some 
big  doin's  at  Mas'  Holmes's  for  the  white  people ;" 
while  the  bride,  quite  elated  by  such  a  eulogy  on 
her  sagacity,  exclaimed  triumphantly, 

"0  yes,  Miss  Rosy,  you  think  Sue  aint  got  no 
eyes ;  but  she  can  notice  some  things.  An'  you  'd 
better  mind,  too,  how  you  tell  your  little  tales,  or 
I'll  have  to  tell  de  preacher  when  he  does  come. 
But,  Miss  Rosy,  for  my  part,  I'd  sooner  wait  a  while 
than  not  to  have  him  here." 

"  0  !  you're  foolish  to  talk  that  way,  Sue;  every 
thing  is  now  ready,  and  there  is  no  such  a  thing  to 
be  thought  of.  If  it  were  my  wedding,  I  would  not 
wait  ten  minutes  for  any  minister  in  the  world,  if 
Uncle  Simon  were  only  on  hand." 

"  There  it  is  again  !  Don't  you  think  it  is  wrong 
to  tell  so  many — what  shall  I  call  'em  ?" 

"  White  lies,  I  reckon,  if  you  will  have  it  so.  I 
do  not  think  it  is  altogether  right,  Sue,  but  I  can- 
not well  help  it.  I  mean  no  harm  in  the  world,  but 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  169 

am  so  full  of  mischief,  and  so  fond  of  sport,  I  for- 
get myself." 

"De  Laud  bress  your  lively  soul,  Miss  Rosy," 
exclaimed  Aunt  Hager,  the  mother  of  the  groom ; 
"if  you  never  dus  nuf'n  wus'n  dat,  you  needn't 
be  'fraid  but  what  you're  good  'nough.  I  don't 
b'leve  dur  's  one  bit  o'  harm  in  a  little  fun  o'  dat 
kin'.  Eb'rybody  knows  what  you  means,  an'  'taint 
no  lie  't  all." 

Were  it  our  place  to  moralize,  we  would  say 
we  did  not  exactly  agree  with  Aunt  Hager, 
for  the  two  simple  reasons  following:  A  healthy 
degree  of  mirth  may  be  enjoyed  in  connection 
with  a  strict  regard  for  truth ;  if  not,  we  do  not 
know  that  the  second  reason  is  entitled  to  much 
weight — to  wit,  the  habitual  indulgence  in  a  very 
slight  evil  renders  the  commission  of  a  greater 
easier  than  it  otherwise  might  be. 

Yet  pardon,  kind  reader,  this  digression,  de- 
signed to  neutralize  what  might  be  otherwise  a  per- 
nicious sentiment. 

The  old  woman's  remarks  excited  quite  a  lively 
debate,  which  was  interrupted  by  Rosalind  with, 
"  Come,  come !  Sue,  are  you  fully  arrayed  ?  for  I 
see,  by  the  bustle,  your  Tony  has  arrived,  or  it 
may  possibly  be  the  parson.  Though  you  must 
make  the  best  of  it,  should  you  be  disappointed.  I 


170  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

will  regret  it  myself  for  your  sake,  yet  we  cannot 
help  it." 

Uncle  Simon  was  a  negro  noted  throughout  the 
country  for  the  goodness  of  his  heart  and  his  sin- 
cere piety.  He  had,  partly  through  his  own  indus- 
try, and  partly  by  the  indulgence  of  his  master, 
purchased  his  freedom ;  though  still  living  under 
the  guardianship  of  his  late  owner.  He  employed 
his  spare  time  in  preaching  and  holding  prayer- 
meetings,  and  was  in  great  demand  generally, 
whenever  there  was  a  marriage  to  be  performed 
among  his  own  people.  The  Methodist  preacher 
on  the  circuit,  Mr.  Burns,  had  agreed  to  perform 
the  ceremony  on  the  present  occasion,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  earnest  wishes  of  both  parties,  who 
were  members  of  his  charge ;  but  he  having  al- 
ready delayed  longer  than  was  anticipated,  Susan's 
apprehensions  became  seriously  excited.  And,  in- 
deed, it  happened  according  to  her  fears ;  for  after 
waiting  until  the  last  moment,  they  were  fain  to 
call  on  Uncle  Simon  to  supply  his  place,  which,  in 
verification  of  the  prediction  of  "  Miss  Rosy,"  he  did 
with  quite  a  grace. 

This  matter  disposed  of,  that  in  which  the  ma- 
jority of  the  guests  were  more  nearly  interested — 
the  supper — was  quickly  in  process  of  preparation. 

The  hall  had  been  set  apart  for  the  accommoda- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  171 

tion  of  the  sable  guests ;  and  it  had  been  contem- 
plated to  leave  to  them  the  entire  control  of  their 
own  table,  while  the  whites  sapped  around  Mr. 
Holmes's  customary  board.  But  against  this  all 
the  leading  negroes  loudly  protested,  earnestly  en- 
treatiug  that  the  "white  folks"  would  take  their 
places  at  the  table,  and  be  served,  after  which,  as 
they  said,  "Dur'll  be  plenty  foh  us.  An'  we  aint 
in  no  hurry ;  but  'ud  heap  ruther  see  our  mastahs 
and  mist'esses  eat  fust,  and  wait  on  'em."  This  wras 
agreed  to,  and  in  due  time  the  "white  folks"  had 
eaten,  and  the  tables  were  prepared  for  another 
supply. 

Justus,  by  request,  took  his  station  as  carver, 
and  many  were  the  amusing  incidents  coming  under 
his  observation.  At  one  time,  Rosalind,  who  was 
the  most  industrious  waiter,  being  as  near  as  might 
be  in  every  part  of  the  room  at  the  same  time, 
came  laughingly  bearing  a  plate,  saying,  "Here, 
Mr.  Justus,  Uncle  Sam  says  he  wants  a  big  slice  of 
that  ham,  or  two  of  your  little  pieces.  He  thinks 
you  are  a  l  nice  hand  to  carve,'  but  that  you  have 
6  never  waited  on  field  hands.' ' 

"See  how  this  will  suit  him,  then,"  said  he, 
smiling  in  return,  as  he  served  the  plate  rather 
bountifully. 

"  Uncle  Sam  says  that  supply  of  ham  c  looks  like 


172  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

cloin'  sumf'n,'  said  the  lady,  on  her  next  return. 
This  showed  to  Justus,  at  least,  that  though  many 
of  the  plates  were  left  almost  untouched,  Uncle 
Sam,  for  his  own  especial  part,  did  not  intend  to 
suffer  his  modesty  to  curtail  his  enjoyment  of  the 
feast. 

The  supper  ended,  the  tables  were  removed, 
and  such  another  scene  of  merriment  Justus  had 
never  witnessed.  The  mirth  and  confusion  were 
quite  uproarious ;  and  he  almost  began  to  fear  his 
prediction  of  the  evening  would  be  verified.  But, 
during  this  time,  the  leading  characters  were  in 
conclave  to  consider  what  form  the  general  sport 
for  the  occasion  should  assume,  to  educe  order  and 
harmony  from  this  discord. 

While  the  confusion  was  at  its  height,  Uncle 
Simon  arose  to  make  a  suggestion.  E"ot  being  ob- 
served, he  mounted  a  chair,  and,  exercising  his 
lungs  in  a  few  stentorian  calls,  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  those  about  him,  when  it  was  passed  from 
one  to  another,  that  Uncle  Simon  had  something 
to  say  to  them.  Soon  order  was  restored,  and  the 
old  man  remarked:  "My  friends,  it's  been  along 
time  since  I  seen  you  all  before,  an'  it's  more'n 
likely  I'll  never  see  you  agin  after  to-night,  as  I'm 
gwine  away.  I  don't  want  to  stop  your  sport ;  fur 
young  folks  will  have  amusement,  and  I  reckon  dey 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  173 

need  it;  but  I  jis'  got  up  to  say  to  those  that  takes 
more  pleasure  in  servin'  the  Lord  dan  in  any  other 
kind  of  enjoyment,  dat  we're  goin'  to  have  a 
prayer-meetin'  down  at  de  gin-house.  Dur's  no 
cottin  in  now,  and  Mastah  Holmes  says  we  can  have 
it  to-night.  I'd  be  glad  to  see  all  go  who  feels  any 
way  like  it.  I  would  also  be  obleeged  to  any  of 
our  mastahs  dat  will  go  an'  help  us  carry  on 
neetin'." 

So  saying,  the  good  old  man  descended  from  his 
stand  and  left  the  room.  The  number  that  fol- 
lowed him  quite  surprised  the  Northerner.  He 
would  not  have  believed  that  so  many  of  that  gay 
crowd  would  leave  the  house  of  mirth  for  that  of 
prayer.  He  was  himself  perplexed  about  his  own 
proper  course,  having  an  anxiety  to  witness  each 
performance;  but  as  that  could  not  be,  he  decided 
to  remain. 

After  the  secession,  the  residue  quickly  arranged 
for  a  dance ;  but  it  appeared,  to  the  sincere  regret 
of  all  concerned,  that  this  was  in  a  fair  way  to  foil 
for  want  of  some  one  to  supply  the  music.  "  Ben," 
it  was  said,  "  had  his  fiddle  wid  him  ;  but  he  says 
he  's  jis  a  larnin,  an'  can't  begin  to  play  for  a  dance." 
And  before  this  matter  was  adjusted,  there  was  an- 
other slight  interruption :  the  reverend  gentleman, 
whose  absence  had  been  so  much  deplored,  now 


174  THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K  . 

came  to  hand.  His  late  arrival  was  caused  by 
having  missed  his  way.  Nothing  would  now  satisfy 
the  groom  and  bride  but  the  re-performance  of  the 
ceremony  by  the  new-comer.  They  declared  it  was 
the  hope  of  this  very  occurrence  that  had  kept  them 
from  attending  the  prayer-meeting;  and  as  their 
wishes  were  earnestly  pressed,  they  were  duly  gra- 
tified. 

Eosalind,  who  was  as  much  excited  at  the  prospect 
of  the  enjoyment  of  the  negroes  in  their  exhilarat- 
ing sport  as  any  one  in  the  room,  observed  with 
deep  regret  the  probability  of  its  failure.  Encourag- 
ing them  by  her  assiduity  and  happy  laugh,  she 
assured  them  they  need  not  be  disappointed  in  their 
expected  pleasure ;  yet,  in  spite  of  all  her  efforts, 
there  seemed  no  advance  towards  the  consummation 
of  so  desirable  an  object,  and,  approaching  the  focus 
of  consultation,  she  heard  sadly  remarked  by  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  of  the  group — 

"Well,  I  reckon  we  '11  hab  to  gib  dis  up,  an'  try 
sumf'n  else.  Mighty  sorry,  dough,  fur  we  'd  a  had 
lots  o'  fun." 

"Never  mind,  Pete,"  she  exclaimed,  as  a  new 
idea  flashed  across  her  mind.  "Never  fear;  just 
wait  a  while,  and  you  shall  have  a  fiddler  yet." 

"  Thanke,  Miss  Rosy.  You 's  berry  kind  to  us; 
but  }7ou  put  yourself  to  a  heap  too  much  trouble." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  175 

But  she  was  gone,  having  heard  but  the  com- 
mencement of  the  reply.  Pete  looked  after  her,  a 
tear  glistening  in  his  eye,  and  a  "  God  bress  de  young 
lady  !"  flowing  from  his  heart,  and  finding  utterance 
from  his  lips. 

Justus  had  observed  the  interruption  in  the  mer- 
riment, but  could  not  imagine  the  cause.  lie  felt 
an  inward  regret  at  the  apprehension  that  he  had 
witnessed  the  end. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?"  he  asked,  on  being  rejoined 
by  his  fair  pupil.  "Is  the  night's  sport  so  soon 
over?" 

"I  hope  not;  scarcely  begun.  They  are  in  want 
of  some  one  to  make  music  for  them,  however, 
which  I  have  undertaken  to  secure ;  and  as  the  last 
resource,  I  have  come  to  beg  of  you  to  act  in  their 
behalf." 

Justus  pleaded,  quite  feebly,  however,  more  than 
one  excuse:  "Would  it  be  right  for  him  to  take 
such  a  part  in  sport  of  the  kind  ?  Could  he  do  so 
with  dignity  ?"  But  Rosalind's  whole  soul  was  en- 
listed ;  and,  with  a  warmth  quite  unusual  and  sur- 
prising, she  set  aside  his  objections  :  "  There  could 
be  no  harm  in  a  simple  dance  of  the  kind  they  de- 
sired. They  needed  some  excitement  at  times ;  and 
she  was  very  anxious  to  see  them  gratified  at  the 
present.  It  might  not  be  altogether  becoming  under 


176  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

other  circumstances ;  but  it  is  well  enough,  once  in 
a  while,  to  lay  aside  our  dignity,  and  forget  for  the 
time  that  we  are  masters  and  mistresses.  A  little 
familiarity  on  such  an  occasion  is  not  likely  to  be 
presumed  upon." 

His  scruples  were  entirely  removed ;  and,  this  fact 
communicated* to  the  assembly,  the  trouble  was  en- 
tirely at  an  end,  and  hilarity  again  became  the  order 
of  the  night. 

Merrily  did  the  violin  pour  out  its  melodious 
strains,  and  merrily  did  the  feet  of  the  dancers 
move  in  acknowledgment.  The  latter  performance, 
it  is  true,  would  not  have  been  considered  exactly  in 
the  style  of  a  Parisian  or  Fifth  Avenue  demonstra- 
tion, yet  it  was  by  no  means  wanting  in  grace,  and 
moved  on  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  the  partici- 
pants. Those  not  disposed  to  join  in  the  dance 
amused  themselves  by  covert  love-making,  flirta- 
tions, and  gossip  generally ;  and  many  a  pretentious 
belle  and  self-confident  beau  congratulated  them- 
selves on  their  triumphs  of  the  evening. 

The  passage  of  time  was  altogether  unheeded : 
hour  after  hour  sped  on.  The  graver  portion  of  the 
guests — th,e  worshippers — had  long  since  ended  their 
services  and  dispersed.  Yet  still  the  dancing  pro- 
gressed, and  in  that  joyous  crowd  the  most  intensely 
pleased  seemed  to  be  Rosalind.  She  was  entirely 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  177 

absorbed  in  the  contemplation  of  the  scene  of  mirth. 
Nor  was  the  gratification  experienced  by  Justus 
much  less  intense  ;  but  his  emotions  were  mingled. 
Of  course  he  was  pleased  to  see  "  the  poor  oppressed 
slave"  forget  for  a  moment  his  "  toils  and  wrongs;" 
he  felt  joyous  likewise  through  sympathy;  but  he 
exulted,  he  was  happy  to  witness  the  disinterested 
efforts  of  his  pupil  in  behalf  of  her  dependants. 
Another  element  in  his  joy  was  the  fact  that  himself 
was  in  some  degree  the  dispenser  of  the  satisfaction 
enjoyed  by  the  rest. 

The  clock  noted  the  hour  of  twelve,  and  still  the 
jollity  continued :  one,  and  yet  no  abatement,  but 
the  power  of  excitement  was  growing  weaker :  two 
came,  and  it  was  voted  time  to  desist.  The  lively 
music  ceased,  the  feet  of  the  dancers  rested.  Then 
came  the  invocation  of  a  thousand  blessings  on  the 
heads  of  Mas  Justus  and  Miss  Rosy,  the  bustle  of 
preparation,  the  departure,  and  the  hall  was  left  in 
quietness. 

Such  was  the  first  negro -wedding  our  Bos- 
tonian  had  ever  attended,  his  first  party  in  the 
South.  A  comparison  between  it  and  the  hap- 
piest efforts  of  the  kind  he  could  imagine  among 
the  poorest  classes,  even  in  his  own  free  Boston, 
could  not  be  avoided ;  and  he  felt  convinced  that, 


178  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

beside  the  scene  just  closed,  the  balance  was  largely 
in  favor  of  the  slave.  Yet,  not  to  decide  hastily, 
this  also  must  be  noted  for  further  consider- 
ation. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  179 


CHAPTEE   XV. 

A    DISCLOSURE. 
"A  change  came  o'er  the  spirit  of  my  dream." 

A  VISION  of  the  display  he  had  witnessed  haunted 
Justus  for  days  following ;  he  could  not  escape  from 
it.  He  seemed  constantly  to  hear  the  merry  laugh 
of  the  negroes,  and  to  see  their  smiling  faces ;  and 
then  a  form  of  almost  angelic  brightness  would  pass 
among  them  with  a  radiant  smile,  and  words  of 
cheering  and  encouragement.  Again  he  passed  in 
review  the  various  occurrences  of  that  night,  par- 
ticularly the  points  on  which  his  mind  had  been 
brought  to  doubt.  But  the  matter  was  disposed  of 
by  a  summary  process.  "  Preposterous  thought ! 
that  a  portion  of  God's  intelligent  creatures  are 
formed  for  slaves.  It  is  true,  by  a  course  of  reason- 
ing from  such  a  data  lately  presented  to  me,  backed 
by  inclination  or  interest,  one  might  almost  conclude 
such  to  be  the  case.  .  Yet  it  is  treason  against  the 
majesty  of  Heaven  to  reason  on  such  a  subject;  we 


180  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

know  it  is  not  so,  for  all  were  born  free  and  equal ; 
and  we  must  not  set  up  our  weak  reason  as  a  stand- 
ard." This  conclusion  arrived  at,  the  next  very 
naturally  was,  "  all  the  happy  seeming  of  his  sable 
friends  was  hypocritical,  or  otherwise  a  person  may 
be  very  well  contented  in  a  sphere  for  which  he  was 
not  designed,  feeling  at  the  same  time  that  he  is  de- 
graded ;  or,  in  other  words,  may  be  quite  happy  iii 
a  state  of  unhappiness." 

How  much  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  had  not 
previously  witnessed  a  thanksgiving  supper  in  "Para- 
dise Square,"  that  precious  den  in  a  large  free  city, 
that  he  might  have  known  precisely  how  far  perfect 
wretchedness  can  simulate  satisfaction  and  content- 
ment! 

But  if  the  frolic,  with  its  attendant  incidents,  had 
wrought  no  change  in  the  gentleman  in  this  respect, 
yet  it  was  potent  in  another  quarter :  w^hether  in 
bringing  about  a  new  state  of  things,  in  hastening 
what  was  before  slowly  but  inevitably  proceeding, 
or  simply  in  revealing  a  condition  already  existing, 
yet  unacknowledged  and  even  unknown,  we  wot 
not.  Yet  from  one  of  these  circumstances  there 
was  a  change. 

Previous  to  this  time,  Justus  had  regarded  B.osa- 
lind  simply  as  his  pupil — the  favorite  one  of  them,  it 
is  true ;  but  had  been  aware  of  no  feeling  save  such 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  181 

as  a  pleasant,  respectful,  and  ready  scholar  might 
reasonably  excite  in  the  mind  of  a  tutor ;  though 
he  was  wont  to  look  upon  his  duties,  so  far  as  the 
lady  was  concerned,  not  as  a  care,  but  rather  as  a 
relaxation  from  trouble  ;  yet  for  this  there  was  suf- 
ficient reason.  For  at  the  same  time  that  her  eager 
desire  for  knowledge  and  rapid  advancement  in  its 
acquisition  were  a  source  of  gratification  to  him,  the 
force  of  her  gentle  influence  over  the  younger  pu- 
pils was  far  more  effective  than  that  of  his  own 
authority.  No  one,  at  least  no  one  acquainted  with 
his  pursuits,  its  troubles  and  perplexities,  will  at  all 
wonder  that  Rosalind  should  be  an  especial  favorite 
with  her  instructor,  and  her  absence  from  her  place 
in  school  a  source  of  deep  regret  to  him. 

The  young  lady  had  been  wont  to  regard  her 
tutor  as  one  very  competent  to  give  instruction, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  to  please  by  his  agreeable 
manners.  She  felt  grateful  for  the  deep  interest 
manifested  for  her  improvement,  and  perhaps  her 
regret  when  detained  from  her  place  at  the  regular 
hours  was  scarcely  less  than  his  own.  Yet  did  she 
only  think  of  him  as  her  teacher. 

But  during  this  affair,  each  had  observed  and  ad- 
mired the  other.  It  was  cheering  to  the  heart  of 
the  instructor  to  see  his  lovely  scholar  so  anxious  to 
secure  the  enjoyment  of  the  "poor  oppressed  slaves," 


182  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

while  she  looked  with  equal  delight  on  his  self-sacri- 
ficing efforts  to  the  same  end.  Justus  knew  not  why 
he  was  so  much  more  than  usually  happy  in  her 
presence,  and  why  his  thoughts  were  so  constantly 
of  her.  The  lady  experienced  much  of  the  same 
feeling.  But  to  be  drawn  into  a  connection  with 
slavery  by  marriage  was  a  thing  he  had  never  al- 
lowed himself  to  contemplate.  If  he  had  ever  pre- 
viously given  a  thought  to  the  subject,  he  considered 
the  strength  of  his  resolution  sufficient  to  counter- 
act whatever  dangerous  influence  there  might  be 
exerted  by  constant  association  with  his  fair 
charge. 

Could  it  be  possible  he  had  overrated  his  strength  ? 
Ah  !  wrhat  else  mean  those  flutterings  of  heart,  and 
those  other  nameless  attendants  of  love  ? 

"  Yes,"  was  his  mental  ejaculation.  "I  have  not 
been  sufficiently  on  my  guard.  I  have  forgotten 
the  preceptor  in  the  admirer.  How  stupid  !  not  to 
be  aware  that  no  one,  unless  by  ceaseless  vigilance, 
could  suffer  himself  to  dwell  as  I  have  on  the  per- 
sonal and  mental  charms  of  that  girl,  without  loving. 
And  now  I  find  I  am  awakened  barely  in  time.  Or 
shall  I  give  myself  up  to  the  indulgence  of  this  de- 
lightful passion  ? 

"  No,  it  must  not  be  !  Thou  must  not  forget  it, 
Carolus  ;  for  no  beauty  or  grace  can  compensate  for 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  183 

the  sacrifice  of  principle  them  wouldst  make.     Yet 
it  may  not  so  easily  be  forgotten  ;  for 

"He  who  stems  the  stream  with  sand, 
And  fetters  flames  with  flaxen  band, 
Has  yet  a  harder  task  to  prove — 
By  firm  resolve  to  conquer  love." 

All  efforts  to  banish  the  intruder  were  ineffectual, 
and  he  was  at  length  forced  to  the  conclusion  that 
absence  alone  could  enable  him  to  overcome.  He 
would  tarry  no  longer  in  reach  of  temptation.  But 
still  his  plans  were  not  yet  ripe  for  a  departure. 
"  Could  he  not  justify  himself  in  the  indulgence  of 
his  love?"  was  his  next  reflection.  "Even  if  the 
affair  were  to  proceed  to  a  final  consummation, 
would  the  number  of  slaves  be  greater,  or  their 
condition  worse?  Surely  not;  but  there  would  be, 
on  the  contrary,  a  greater  probability  that  some  at 
present  under  the  yoke  would  be  advanced  to  a  state 
of  freedom.  For  there  can  be  no  doubt  such  a  pure, 
gentle  being  would  at  once  see  the  propriety  of  doing 
all  in  her  power  for  those  falling  under  her  care ; 
and  once  having  her  attention  drawn  to  the  wrong 
of  retaining  them  in  a  state  of  slavery,  it  needs  no 
prophetic  ken  to  foresee  her  course." 

Thus  he  gained,  fully  gained  his  own  consent  to 
woo  and  wed,  on  certain  contingencies,  a  lady  who 
would  inevitably  be  a  slaveholder.  How  great  the 


184  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

generosity,  how  sincere  the  love,  which  could  thus 
risk  the  fearful  doom  of  being  ranked  among  "  man- 
buyers!" 

Having  thus  decided,  he  was  not  long  in  making 
known  to  the  lady  the  peculiar  state  of  his  feelings. 
The  lessons  were  finished,  and  as  the  children  re- 
tired, Justus  requested  of  Rosalind  a  favorite  air  on 
the  piano.  She  complied  at  once.  He  drew  his 
seat  beside  her,  gazing  intently  on  the  keys  of  the 
instrument.  But  his  thoughts  were  not  on  the  per- 
formance ;  this  he  scarcely  noticed.  He  was  medi- 
tating some  graceful  manner  of  introducing  the 
subject  that  so  fully  occupied  his  mind.  On  ordi- 
nary occasions  he  was  not  wanting  in  a  ready  com- 
mand of  language  ;  but  now  was  unable  to  form  a 
sentence  or  even  an  idea  to  his  wish. 

The  music  was  finished,  but  he  did  not  seem  to 
realize  that  the  strain  was  ended,  still  continuing 
his  steady  gaze. 

"  My  performance  must  be  indifferent,  to  throw 
you  into  such  a  state  of  despondency,"  said  the  lady, 
smiling  a  little  archly,  as  she  saw  the  music  itself 
was  not  likely  to  elicit  any  remark. 

"  I  was  rather  drawn  off  from  the  present  in  me- 
ditations," he  replied,  with  a  great  effort  to  preserve 
his  self-possession.  Then  added,  "Your  improve- 
ment, Miss  Rosalind,  has  been  very  rapid ;  indeed, 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  185 

I  consider  you  well-nigh  perfect  in  the  art  and  sci- 
ence of  music.  All  you  now  require  is  practice." 

"  I  am  afraid  you  are  too  partial.  I  think  I  can 
discover  many  defects  myself." 

"Not  at  all.  With  strict  regard  to  rigid  rules  of 
criticism,  that  must  be  the  decision  of  any  one." 

Here  an  awkward  pause  ensued,  the  invention  of 
the  gentleman  the  meanwhile  on  the  rack  for  some 
becoming  mode  of  declaring  himself.  The  lady 
arose  as  if  with  the  intention  of  leaving  the  room. 
Then  Justus  spoke,  but  hesitatingly  : 

"  Stay  yet  a  few  moments,  Miss  Rosalind ;  I  would 
have  some  conversation  with  you ;  it  is  but  seldom 
we  are  favored  with  an  opportunity  for — social  en- 
joyment in  this  way." 

She  blushed  slightly,  and  was  not  altogether  able 
to  express  by  her  voice  the  entire  unconcern  she 
designed,  as,  resuming  her  seat,  she  replied :  "  I  am 
always  pleased  to  hear  my  tutor  converse,  and  con- 
sider myself  very  much  indebted  to  him  for  his  kind 
efforts  in  my  behalf." 

Had  Justus  been  himself  less  embarrassed,  the 
confusion  of  the  lady  during  the  utterance  of  this 
sentence  would  not  have  escaped  him.  But  he  was 
too  deeply  engaged  in  trying  to  devise  some  gradual 
way  of  presenting  the  declaration  about  to  be  made. 
There  was  another  embarrassing  pause,  which  he 


186  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

at  length  broke,  saying,  with,  still  increased  agita- 
tion, and  with  but  little  relevancy  to  the  point : 

"  It  is  a  great  source  of  pleasure  to  me,  Miss  Ro- 
salind, to  reflect  on  the  fact  that  the  cultivation  and 
refinement  of  your  mind  is,  at  least  in  some  small 
degree,  the  result  of  my  humble  endeavors.  And  I 
shall  ever  remember,  with  emotions  of  gratefulness, 
the  tractableness  and  sweetness  of  disposition  mani- 
fested by  you.  I  am  well  aware  that  the  restraining 
of  the  other  pupils  from  errors,  as  well  as  their  ad- 
vancement in  their  various  studies,  has  been  as  much 
through  your  example  and  gentle  admonitions  as 
my  own  exertions." 

It  was  evident  he  was  bewildered,  and  spoke,  he 
did  not  very  well  know  what,  simply  because  he  had 
begun  to  speak,  and  must  say  something.  His  au- 
ditor blushed  deeply,  as  she  answered  : 

"  It  is  indeed  true  that  I  am  indebted  to  your 
faithful  instructions  for  that  portion  of  my  mental 
acquirements  I  most  highly  prize.  And  I  trust 
there  has  been  no  act  of  mine  calculated  in  any 
manner  to  give  you  pain.  Still,  I  cannot  flatter  my- 
self with  having  done  more  than  was  simply  my 
duty ;  and  if  I  have  in  any  manner  rendered  you 
assistance  in  your  labors,  I  am  well  pleased,  and 
consider  the  fact  alone  an  ample  reward." 

Justus's  perplexity  had  now  reached  its  extremity. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  187 

He  concluded  to  defer  his  suit  to  some  future  time, 
and  the  conversation  took  a  different  turn.  They 
talked  of  the  late  wedding,  and  other  matters,  and 
the  lady  became  quite  animated.  He  alluded  to  the 
gratification  felt  in  witnessing  her  conduct  on  that 
occasion.  She  was  silent — busy  with  her  own 
thoughts,,  which  she  dare  not  speak.  She,  too,  had 
there  experienced  emotions  before  unfelt.  A  deep 
blush  mantled  her  cheek. 

How  intimately  important  interests  are  connected 
with  trivial  things !  The  crimson  glow  stealing 
over  her  face,  adding  a  higher  charm  to  her  beauti- 
ful countenance,  did  not  escape  the  notice  of  Justus, 
who,  interpreting  it  as  a  favorable  omen,  dismissed 
at  once  all  hesitancy,  and  thus  continued: 

"  It  was  not  such  commonplace  topics  as  these 
that  inspired  my  wish  for  private  converse,  Miss 
Rosalind.  I  have  that  to  say,  the  response  to  which 
will  have  a  powerful  influence  on  my  future  happi- 
ness— may  I  not  hope  your  own  also  ?  But  should 
my  declaration  not  meet  your  approval,  I  still  hope 
the  purity  of  my  motives  will  shield  me  from  repro- 
bation, and  that  my  conduct  will  not  be  considered 
as  influenced  by  unwarrantable  presumption."  He 
paused  to  observe  the  effect  produced  upon  her  by 
this  venture ;  and  he  hardly  doubted  but  that,  in  the 
downcast  eyes  and  crimson  face  before  him,  he  could 


188  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

read  his  complete  triumph.  Then  he  continued: 
"After  what  you  have  just  heard,  you  will  not  be 
surprised  at  the  avowal  I  now  make.  Lady,  your 
charms  have  captivated  my  whole  nature.  And 
now,  how  shall  I  express  myself?  Excuse  my  seem- 
ing rudeness,  for  my  feelings  are  such  that  they  can- 
not be  dictated  to  by  any  of  the  rules  or  convention- 
alities of  common  life.  But  I  here  declare  the 
most  consuming  love,  and  offer  to  you  my  hand  and 
heart,  entreating  a  reciprocation  of  the  act." 

He  paused  to  breathe,  and  for  a  few  minutes 
gazed  in  silent  admiration  upon  the  lovely  girl,  who, 
in  a  state  of  deep  agitation,  sat  with  her  face  con- 
cealed in  her  handkerchief.  Emboldened,  he  took 
her  unresisting  hand  and  pressed  it  fervently  to  his 
lips.  At  length  he  asked : 

"  What  reply  am  I  to  expect,  dear  lady  ?  May  I 
construe  your  silence  into  a  token  of  assent ;  or  at 
least  may  I  not  take  it  as  an  evidence  that  my  suit 
is  not  wholly  rejected?" 

As  her  agitation  only  increased,  he  added,  "I  shall 
not  press  for  an  answer  now  ;  but  O  !  can  you  not 
give  a  slight  ground  of  hope,  or  at  least  appoint 
some  early  day  when  I  may  receive  a  decisive  an- 
swer?" This  being  ineffectual  to  elicit  a  reply,  he 
continued :  "  I  will  for  the  present  retire,  dear  lady, 
and  leave  you  to  yourself;  but  I  crave  an  inter- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  189 

view  to-morrow,  at  which.  I  may  receive  your  re- 
sponse." 

An  affirmative  inclination  of  the  head  was  her 
only  reply,  and  he  retired. 

We  will  simply  say,  by  way  of  disposing  of  this 
matter  in  the  present  place,  that  in  due  course  of 
time  all  Justus's  doubts  were  removed,  and  his  hap- 
piness secured,  by  an  acceptance  on  the  part  of  the 
lady.  Her  views  in  regard  to  the  time  of  consum- 
mating their  bliss  did  not,  howrever,  coincide  with 
his  own,  as  her  extreme  youth  forbade  the  thought 
of  marriage  for  some  length  of  time  to  come.  The 
happy  day,  then,  was  left  to  be  determined  by  sub- 
sequent events. 


190  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE     VISIT. 

"In  order  to  save  all,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  risk  all." 

"Ah!  yes,  that  well-remembered  spot! 
What  scenes  of  sadness  brings  it  to  rny  mind !" 

AN  unexpected  and  momentous  change  of  circum- 
stances awaited  Justus.  On  the  very  evening  of  the 
interview  described,  he  was  informed  by  his  em- 
ployer of  a  contemplated  visit  to  a  brother-in-law 
residing  in  a  distant  part  of  the  State.  The  plan  of 
arrangement  was  as  follows  :  The  entire  family,  that 
is,  the  white  portion,  was  to  compose  the  visiting 
party,  himself  included,  if  agreeable,  in  the  same 
capacity  in  which  he  acted  at  home.  It  was  likely 
that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holmes,  accompanied  by  Rosa- 
lind, would  embrace  the  favorable  opportunity 
offered  of  extending  their  jaunt  to  Virginia,  as  he 
felt  confident  that  his  overseer  would  conduct 
affairs  as  well  in  his  absence  as  though  he  himself 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  191 

were  present.  In  this  latter  event,  Justus  was  to 
maintain  his  present  relation  to  the  other  children, 
left  in  charge  of  their  aunt. 

Less  pleasing  information  could  scarcely  have  been 
communicated.  The  thought  of  continuing  in  his 
present  vocation,  and  yet  separated  from  Rosalind, 
he  could  not  endure.  Previous  to  his  engagement 
with  her,  he  had  determined,  so  soon  as  his  contract 
should  expire — an  event  now  near  at  hand — to  re- 
move to  some  other  point  of  observation,  and  engage 
in  a  more  becoming  pursuit. 

The  only  thing,  then,  that  could  induce  a  con- 
tinuance in  the  employment,  was  the  privilege  of 
being  near  the  object  of  his  affections,  with  the  hope 
of  removing  her  objections  to  a  speed}^  union.  This 
the  present  phase  of  things  bade  fair  to  preclude ;  yet 
his  fears  were  somewhat  relieved  by  the  assurance 
of  the  lady,  that  she  did  not  intend,  if  able  to  avoid 
it,  accompanying  her  parents  to  her  native  State. 
Yet  there  was  another  source  of  uneasiness,  and 
scarcely  less  troublesome  than  the  other.  The 
visit  was  to  lead  to  the  very  county  in  which  he 
had  figured  as  an  abolitionist,  and  been  publicly  dis- 
graced. 

Had  this  announcement  been  "made  but  a  few 
days  earlier,  he  would  not  for  a  moment  have  en- 
tertained a  thought  of  being  of  the  party ;  but  now 


192  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

the  peculiar  circumstances  in  his  connection  with 
Rosalind  rendered  the  prospect  of  a  separation  par- 
ticularly unpleasant.  Should  he  be  thrown  from 
her  in  his  present  state  of  uncertainty,  who  could 
foretell  the  consequences  ?  How  many  causes  might 
conspire  to  prevent  their  future  meeting !  He 
seemed  to  have  a  presentiment  that,  parted  thus, 
they  would  never  realize  their  fond  hopes.  And  he 
did  not  fail  to  take  into  account  the  loss  in  this 
event  to  result  to  the  cause  of  mercy,  which  could 
not  be  disregarded,  especially  when  so  closely  con- 
nected with  his  owrn  interest. 

E"or  was  the  other  horn  of  the  dilemma  much 
more  attractive :  to  return  to  the  very  county 
whence  he  had  been  ejected  under  circumstances 
so  humiliating,  and  perhaps  to  the  identical  neigh- 
borhood !  But  it  might  not  even  require  this  last 
inevitably  to  secure  his  disgrace  ;  for  the  probability 
would  be  very  slight  of  failing  to  meet  with  any  one 
conversant  with  the  circumstances  leading  to  his 
expulsion.  The  prospect  was  far  from  gratifying. 
Though,  for  the  reasons  named,  rather  inclined  to 
be  of  the  party,  he  felt  a  degree  of  hesitancy  quite 
unnatural.  A  knowledge  of  the  name  of  this  brother- 
in-law  might  possibly  aid  him  in  coming  to  a  deci- 
sion ;  for  should  it  chance  to  be  either  of  those  so  offi- 
cious in  his  case,  he  would  not  go.  Sooner  should  all 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  193 

claim  to  the  hand  of  Rosalind  be  resigned,  if  sepa- 
ration must  needs  be  a  resignation,  than  to  be  hum- 
bled before  her,  and  have  her  respect  for  him  de- 
stroyed by  such  a  disclosure  as  in  that  case  must  be 
made.  He  would  learn  from  Rosalind  the  name  of 
the  family.  But  it  was  not  a  familiar  one,  and  she 
could  not  at  the  moment  call  it  to  mind.  In  imagin- 
ation he  almost  heard  the  name  of  McMinime,  or 

Blanton,  as  she  hesitated:  "0  !  it  is "  and  his 

head  grew  fairly  dizzy,  when,  after  a  short  pause, 
she  concluded — "Clayton."  Such  a  relief!  His 
feelings  for  the  moment  were  such  as  a  convicted 
criminal  may  be  supposed  to  experience,  reprieved 
at  the  last  hour. 

Though  so  much  rejoiced  at  the  time,  his  plea- 
sure was  merely  negative :  he  knew  he  was  not 
going  to  visit  the  family  of  either  of  those  regarded 
by  him  as  particularly  his  enemies ;  yet  how  far  he 
might  be  from  their  neighborhood,  or  at  what  un- 
lucky moment  he  might  meet  them,  he  had  no  means 
of  knowing,  and  there  yet  remained  much  cause  for 
painful  perplexity. 

The  sage  aphorism  on  a  choice  of  evils  here  kindly 
came  to  his  relief,  but  the  question  still  remained 
unsolved  as  to  the  magnitude  of  the  ills  evoked  by 
either  course.  On  one  side  was  absence  from  his 
heart's  love,  with,  according  to  his  presentiment, 


194  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

almost  the  certainty  of  a  final  separation ;  on  the 
other,  the  probability  of  the  same  loss,  after  a  dis- 
graceful exposure  of  himself  in  her  eyes.  In  men- 
tal agony,  he  cursed  his  folly  in  the  first  fatal  de- 
parture from  right.  But  for  that,  he  might  without 
shame  or  fear  proudly  have  borne  himself  in  any 
community.  After  a  painful  conflict,  he  decided  on 
going  at  any  hazard ;  and  endeavoring  to  become 
calm  in  outward  appearance,  he  succeeded  admir- 
ably. But  there  was  still  an  uneasiness  not  to  be 
banished  from  his  mind ;  and  it  was  not  altoge- 
ther an  open  exhibition  of  feeling,  that,  when  the 
journey  began,  he  was  as  cheerful  as  any  one.  This 
disposition,  however,  was  maintained  almost  to  the 
end.  The  party  highly  enjoyed  the  travel,  passing 
the  time  quite  agreeably;  but  as  they  drew  near 
their  place  of  destination,  gloomy  thoughts  again 
began  to  annoy  Justus.  No  wonder  !  They  passed 
the  camp-ground  where  he  had  heard  the  announce- 
ment of  preaching  to  the  negroes :  to  him,  hapless 
place !  O  that  he  could  but  recall  that  portion  of 
his  life ;  that  this  one  scene  were  to  be  enacted  over ! 
How  different  would  be  his  conduct !  Such,  doubt- 
less, then  were  his  views  of  the  case :  different  in- 
deed might  his  action  have  been  with  his  present 
knowledge  of  the  result.  But,  alas  !  rashness  pur- 
chases experience  that  may  never  profit.  Not  then 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  195 

seeing  the  consequence  of  those  acts,  to-morrow  a 
case  may  arise  in  which  this  will  be  no  precedent : 
then  learn  less  to  trust  to  the  direction  of  thy  im- 
pulses. 

He  observed  there  were  persons  employed  on  the 
ground,  fitting  it  up,  he  supposed,  for  another  meet- 
ing. He  saw  familiar  faces  there.  Among  a  group 
acting  as  supervisors  of  the  work,  he  noticed  his  old 
friends  Blanton  and  McMinime,  and,  with  the  ne- 
groes at  labor,  were  his  protege  "Sambo,"  and 
"Uncle  Moses;"  and  "Darkie,"  too,  figured  in  the 
crowd. 

The  cortege  consisted  of  two  carriages,  the  fore- 
most of  which  was  occupied  by  Justus  and  Eosa- 
lind,  with  two  of  the  children.  There  were  no 
pleasant  associations  connected  with  the  place  to  in- 
duce the  abolitionist  to  tarry,  and  soon,  to  his  relief, 
it  w^as  left  behind.  He  crossed  the  creek  in  which 
almost  twelve  months  previous  his  persecutors  had 
plunged  him,  and  he  could  almost  feel  the  cold 
water  closing  over  him.  His  feelings  were  too 
powerful  to  be  resisted,  and  he  involuntarily  heaved 
a  deep  sigh. 

His  companion,  who  had  scarcely  ever  thought 
there  could  be  care  weighing  on  the  light  heart  of 
her  cheerful  teacher,  was  herself  startled  from  rather 
a  sad  train  of  reflections. 


196  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"What  mighty  sorrow,"  she  gayly  exclaimed, 
"lays  its  burden  on  your  mind?  That  sigh  indi- 
cates a  cause  of  sadness,  as  weighty  as  unusual." 

Evading  the  question,  he  drew  her  attention  to 
the  condition  of  gloomy  suspense  in  which  he  was 
placed  by  the  indefiniteness  and  uncertainty  of  their 
agreement,  heightened  by  the  fears  of  her  father's 
disapproval.  This  was  spoken  as  though  the  real 
cause  of  his  depression  of  spirit.  It  had  the  desired 
effect ;  and,  checking  her  levity,  both  became  medi- 
tative. A  sudden  thought  seized  the  gentleman — 
a  thought  never  before  indulged — he  would  tell  his 
history. 

"  Do  you  recollect,  Miss  Rosalind,  reading,  months 
ago,  of  a  fellow  being  dipped  in  the  creek  for  try- 
ing to  persuade  slaves  to  leave  their  masters  ?"  he 
asked  rather  abruptly.  More  than  once  during  the 
afternoon  Rosalind  had  ineffectually  attempted  to 
engage  her  companion  in  conversation,  and  in  de- 
spair had  as  often  given  it  up.  Pleased  at  length 
that  her  object  was  about  being  gained,  she  re- 
plied : 

"  I  do  not  now  remember  reading  the  account, 
but,  to  me,  occurrences  of  this  kind  do  not  yield 
the  satisfaction  others  seem  to  receive  from  them, 
and  therefore  do  not '  make  so  deep  an  impression 
on  my  mind.  Yet  do  not  suppose  I  have  any  sym- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  197 

pathy  for  those  who  think  our  servants  to  be  the 
suffering  race  their  fancy  portrays.  The  lot  of  the 
serving  class  in  all  countries  imposes  a  burden,  per- 
haps not  pleasant  to  be  borne,  in  which,  of  course, 
the«  slave  has  his  part ;  but  I  do  not  believe  that  in 
the  present  order  of  things,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  state  of  society,  and,  indeed,  every  thing 
bearing  on  the  matter,  his  condition  can  be  radi- 
cally bettered.  Still,  when  hearing  of  one  whose 
imprudent  zeal  has  led  him  into  difficulty  of  this 
kind,  while  my  judgment  condemns  his  wrong  as 
worthy  of  punishment,  my  heart  is  still  disposed  to 
commiserate  his  misfortune.  This  may  be  my 
weakness,  yet  sympathy  for  the  unfortunate,  you 
know,  is  the  characteristic  of  our  sex.  Why  do 
you  ask,  Mr.  Justus  ?" 

"  This,  I  suspect,  is  the  very  creek  in  which  that 
act  was  performed,  as  he  was  taken  at  a  camp-meet- 
ing." The  question  bringing  him  so  suddenly  to 
the  opening  of  the  narrative,  rather  threw  him  off 
his  guard,  causing  him  to  answer  hesitatingly ;  yet, 
at  the  same  time,  increasing  his  love  for  the  fair 
Southerner,  whose  views,  with  suitable  instruction, 
would  so  well  harmonize  with  his  own. 

Unwilling  to  suffer  the  former  oppressive  silence 
to  be  renewed,  the  lady  playfully  remarked,  "  Per- 
haps there  is  more  than  one  camp-ground  in  the 


198  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

• 

State,  with  a  creek  conveniently  situated  for  such 
a  purpose." 

"  Miss  Rosalind ."  A  voice  from  the  carriage 

in  the  rear  interrupted  him : 

"  Ho,  Justus  !  don't  you  suppose  this  is  the  cr^ek 
in  which  they  ducked  that  nigger-thief  of  whom 
we  read?" 

"Really!"  laughed  the  lady,  "this  is  a  singular 
notion  you  have  both  taken." 

"I  was  but  just  making  the  same  remark  to 
Rosalind.  Yet  why  should  we  both  take  up  such 
an  opinion  ?  Is  it  not  rather  strange  ?" 

"Merely  from  the  fact,  I  suppose,  of  finding  a 
place  so  suitable,  and  so  near  a  camp-ground." 
And  the  animated  conversation  .of  the  gentlemen 
left  no  opportunity  for  Justus  to  proceed  in  the 
revelation  he  had  even  begun,  until  the  recollec- 
tion of  the  abrupt  termination  had,  ceased  to  harass 
the  lady,  and  Justus  had  resolved  to  postpone  the 
confession. 

The  sun  had  set,  and  they  were  nearing  the  resi- 
dence of  McMinime.  ""We  had  better  spend  the 
night  here,  Rosalind,  had  we  not?  "We  have  had 
a  long  and  tiresome  journey  to-day,  and  it  is  yet 
some  distance  to  your  uncle's ;  too  far,  I  fear,  to  be 
performed  by  night." 

Justus  started,  and  regarded  his  companion  with 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  199 

an  anxious  look  during  the  utterance  of  the  forego- 
ing words  by  her  father.  Without  seeming  to  no- 
tice this  movement,  she  replied : 

"I  would  prefer  to  proceed  now,  but  have  no 
anxiety  either  way." 

"  "What  do  you  say,  Justus  ?  I  am  in  the  mi- 
nority, and  will  be  obliged  to  yield,  having  so  pro- 
mised, unless  you  will  come  to  my  relief." 

"I  suppose  I  must  side  with  the  ladies,"  he  re- 
plied ;  "  the  more  especially,  as,  if  I  do  not,  it  will 
be  a  difficult  matter  to  find  one  to  act  as  umpire." 
This  he  spoke  in  a  seemingly  indifferent  manner, 
happy  that  he  was  allowed  a  voice  in  the  decision 
of  the  question. 

They  passed  through  the  wood  through  which 
Justus  had  walked  to  allay  his  emotion  on  the  occa- 
sion of  his  disagreement  with  Sambo's  master. 

He  thought — how  could  he  otherwise — of  the 
watch  and  its  strange  history — the  bill  of  sale — and 
he  mentally  exulted.  "  How  I  would  like  to  know 
whether  either  of  them  have  been  satisfactorily  ac- 
counted for,"  was  his  silent  exclamation;  "or  has 
the  paper  I  so  fortunately  obtained  yet  been  missed  ?" 
And  his  cogitations  turned :  "  Gave  him  a  pleasant 
dipping  in  the  creek,  ha!"  At  that  moment  a  dark 
thought  flashed  across  his  mind,  and,  as  he  reflected 
thereupon,  his  frame  trembled  sensibly. 


200  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"What  affects  you?"  asked  his  companion,  mani- 
festing uneasiness.  This  question,  also,  was  evaded 
by  a  reference  to  the  difficulties  and  uncertainties 
in  the  way  of  the  attainment  of  his  hopes ;  at  pres- 
ent, with  much  truth,  though  not  exactly  in  the  way 
he  would  be  understood. 

He  soon  became  more  composed,  and  could  not 
forbear  a  smile  as  they  traversed  the  lane  through 
which  the  memorable  chase  of  "  George  Washing- 
ton" had  led. 

Night  settled  down  upon  them,  hiding  surround- 
ing objects  from  view.  Then  he  grew  lively  in 
conversation,  and  the  time  passed  pleasantly  enough. 

The  moon  rose  over  the  tops  of  the  trees,  dis- 
covering to  them  the  fact  that  their  journey  was 
almost  ended.  Then  a  certain  familiar  appearance 
flashed  the  truth  on  Justus's  mind,  that  he  was  not 
in  his  present  locality  for  the  first  time. 

Though  late,  the  family  had  not  yet  retired,  and 
the  visitors  were  cordially  received,  and  welcomed 
with  a  becoming  degree  of  bustle  and  confusion. 

A  single  glance  at  the  interior  of  the  house 
served  to  satisfy  Justus  as  to  his  whereabouts.  It 
was  the  identical  place  at  which  he  had  been 
treated  to  an  account  of  his  own  performance  at 
the  camp-meeting.  He  felt  unwell  on  the  present 
occasion,  his  night's  drive  not  agreeing  with  him ; 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  201 

and,  therefore,  took  an  early  opportunity  of  retiring. 
But  for  weary  hours  his  overture  to  the  oblivious 
Somnus  was  in  vain.  He  was  separated  from  the 
company  by  a  thin  partition ;  and,  though  he  could 
hear  distinctly  but  little  that  was  said,  a  constant 
hum  of  voices  reached  his  ears,  broken,  ever  and 
anon,  by  the  same  noisy  mirth  that  had  so  harshly 
grated  on  his  nerves  on  a  previous  occasion  while 
occupying  the  same  position. 

His  feelings  cannot  be  described,  as  a  burst  of 
laughter  of  uncommon  energy  saluted  him.  Writh- 
ing in  agony,  he  mentally  exclaimed :  "  No  doubt 
they  are  rehearsing  the  whole  story.  The  same 
coarse  laugh  with  which  they  regaled  me  before, 
which  nothing  else  that  is  human  can  imitate! 
Yes !  on  my  word,  there  it  is  again !  Ah  me !  I 
am  afraid  I  deliberated  to  poor  purpose  when  I 
decided  to  make  this  trip.  I  have  but  little  doubt 
it  will  yet  bring  me  into  serious  trouble." 

Notwithstanding  the  fears  of  Justus,  the  minds 
of  the  others  were  very  little  occupied  about  him. 
The  brother  and  sister  (Mr.  Holmes  and  Mrs.  Clay- 
ton) had  been  parted  for  many  years ;  and  had,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  many  matters  of  mutual  in- 
terest to  discuss.  Their  time,  therefore,  was  not 
to  be  devoted  to  minor  subjects. 

It  is  true,  her  uncle,  who  had  noticed  the  hand- 


202  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

some  stranger  attending  Rosalind,  made  her  the 
special  object  of  his  pleasant  jests;  and  from  this 
cause,  probably,  arose  the  merriment  which  so 
much  annoyed  that  worthy. 

This  was  innocently  begun  by  Mr.  Clayton, 
merely  for  the  sake  of  a  little  pleasant  diversion, 
not  thinking  to  what  it  might  lead. 

His  niece  had  been  but  little  used  to  such  inquis- 
itorial proceedings,  and  exhibited  rather  a  tell-tale 
expression  of  face :  indeed,  her  confusion  was  so 
plainly  manifest  as  to  betray  to  any  one  who 
observed  her  countenance  that  it  was  produced  by 
no  trivial  consideration. 

There  was  one  in  the  room  who  read  her  emo- 
tions more  minutely  than  any  one  else,  and  with 
far  different  feelings.  His  brow  darkened,  and 
vengeful  thoughts  arose  in  his  heart,  as  he  saw 
partially  the  state  of  affairs.  He  had  never  enter- 
tained the  idea  of  an  attachment  between  his 
daughter  and  Justus;  and  the  sudden  truth  that 
such  had  actually  taken  place  could  not  but  affect 
him  unpleasantly. 

"You  are  too  hard  on  her,  Robert,"  he  said, 
desirous  of  changing  the  subject:  "you  have  so 
badly  confused  her  she  scarcely  knows  what  she  is 
saying  or  doing.  She  is  young,  and  has  never  been 
used  to  jests  of  that  nature;  and  as  for  this  gentle- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  203 

man,  of   course   she  only  thinks  of  him  as  her 
tutor." 

Whatever  opinion  the  other  may  have  enter- 
tained in  regard  to  this  excuse  for  the  confusion 
of  his  niece,  he  made  no  reply ;  and  this  mode  of 
amusement  was  abandoned.  Yet,  however  much 
her  father  might  hope  his  explanation  to  be  correct, 
he  had  his  doubts — nay,  he  was  satisfied  that  his 
daughter  was  more  interested  in  her  teacher  than  a 
due  consideration  of  his  being  an  unknown  adven- 
turer would  justify.  To  what  extent  the  affair  had 
gone  he  could  not  divine,  but  duty  demanded  a 
prompt  inquiry. 


204  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE     DISCOVERY. 

"  Thought  they  their  iron  band  of  pride 
Could  break  the  knot  that  love  had  tied?" 

ON  the  following  morning,  there  was  more  than 
one  troubled  countenance  among  the  late  arrived, 
nor  was  that  of  Justus,  as  might  have  been  ex- 
pected, the  most  conspicuous  of  the  number.  In- 
deed, so  well  had  he  profited  by  his  stern  schooling, 
that  he  could  now  assume  a  degree  of  unconcern 
under  any  ordinary  trouble.  But  Holmes  was  not 
so  fortunate:  he  could  by  no  means  hide  his  uneasi- 
ness, and  it  was  matter  of  no  little  wonder  to  those 
who  observed,  what  could  have  occurred.  He  must 
surely  be  unwell.  But  all  efforts  to  ascertain  the 
cause  of  his  concern  met  an  evasive  response,  as  he 
declared  himself  in  usual  health  and  spirits. 

Nor  was  Rosalind  altogether  so  cheerful  as  was 
her  wont :  perhaps  her  thoughts  dwelt  on  the 
ordeal  of  the  past  night,  or  she  may  have  been  dis- 
turbed by  her  father's  apparent  distress.  She  had 


THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E  -D  E  A  L  E  R.  205 

immured  herself  in  her  room,  whence,  upon  open- 
ing the  door,  responsive  to  a  gentle  tap  on  the  out- 
side, the  object  of  her  solicitude  himself  entered. 

His  abstracted  manner  and  constrained  deport- 
ment told  most  plainly  there  was  a  burden  on  his 
mind,  the  character  of  which  she  could  not  guess, 
which  she  would  yet  gladly  remove. 

He  sat  in  silence,  though  she  could  discern  there 
was  something  he  wished  to  communicate. 

"  You  seem  disturbed.  What  can  be  the  matter, 
dear  father?"  she  asked.  ""What  can  it  be  that 
gives  you  trouble  ?"  alarmed  by  his  moody  silence. 

The  cause  of  the  visit  was  a  delicate  matter,  and 
he  had  been  extremely  perplexed  to  find  suitable 
words  with  which  to  introduce  it.  This  relieved 
him  of  his  embarrassment,  and  he  answered  : 

"I  trust  there  is  no  serious  cause  for  my  appa- 
rent trouble;  yet  this  hope  may  be  fallacious.  You 
are  the  person  to  remove  the  difficulty.  My  object 
in  seeking  an  interview  was  to  have  my  doubts 
settled :  if  there  is  nothing  amiss  with  you,  I  have 
no  ground  for  uneasiness." 

"Your  language  is  mysterious.  If  the  state  of 
my  health  excites  your  fears,  I  assure  you  they  are 
groundless ;  and  if,  from  any  other  cause,  you  have 
apprehensions  on  my  account,  I  pray  you  dismiss 
them  as  needless." 


206  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

This  was  uttered  with  an  evident  composure,  in 
strange  contrast  with  the  excitement  occasioned  by 
her  father's  words.  Too  unused  to  life  to  concern 
herself  with  its  cares,  she  yet  saw  something  had 
affected  her  parent,  and  the  vague  allusion  to  her- 
self in  connection  with  it  at  once  distressed  and 
alarmed  her. 

"That  you  believe  so,  my  daughter,  I  have  no 
doubt ;  still,  my  opinion  is  different.  The  subject 
on  which  I  would  speak  is  one  I  scarcely  know 
how  to  approach;  yet  it  will  perhaps  aid  you  to 
arrive  at  my  meaning,  if  I  say,  that  what  I  observed 
on.  last  night  has  opened  my  eyes  to  a  state  of 
things  I  never  before  even  so  much  as  thought  of." 

A  suspicion  of  her  father's  meaning  came  over 
her  mind,  and  she  blushed  deeply.  Speedily  recov- 
ering her  self-possession,  however,  she  spoke  with 
great  earnestness  : 

"You  alarm  me,  dear  father!  Of  what  great 
impropriety  have  I  been  guilty  ?  Speak  your  mean- 
ing plainly,  I  entreat ;  for,  although  it  can  be  no 
light  matter,  since  it  moves  you,  I  can  afford  to 
hear  it,  and  may  be  able  therefrom  to  learn  some 
useful  lesson,  at  least  to  guard  against  a  repetition 
of  the  same  offence." 

This  answer,  so  different  from  what  he  had  ex- 
pected, quite  disconcerted  him :  he  felt,  moreover,  a 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  207 

slight  degree  of  vexation,  for  he  could  not  forbear  the 
thought  that  his  daughter  had  wilfully  mistaken  his 
meaning.  With  difficulty  concealing  his  emotions, 
he  continued  : 

"  I  did  hope,  Eosaliud,  you  would  understand  me 
from  a  hint ;  for,  indeed,  it  is  a  thing  painful  enough 
even  to  think  of,  and  more  so  to  speak  about.  But 
since  I  must  declare  myself  plainly,  if  I  have  not 
been  strangely  deceived  in  the  reading  of  your 
countenance,  you  have  suffered  your  affections  to 
become  entangled  most  unwisely — have  placed  them 
on  your  music-teacher.  I  wish  now  to  know  whether 
or  not  I  am  correct.  Answer  to  the  point :  is  this 
so,  or  is  it  not  ?" 

Instead  of  a  reply,  she  buried  her  face  in  her 
hands,  and  burst  into  tears. 

For  a  few  moments  her  father  looked  on  in  silence, 
in  doubt  as  to  what  cause  he  should  ascribe  her 
emotion.  Was  it  regret  that  the  course  she  wished 
to  take  W7as  displeasing  to  him  ?  Or  might  she  not 
grieve  to  be  charged  with  so  flagrant  an  offence 
against  common  intelligence,  as  to  "fall  in  love" 
with  an  unknown  stranger  ? 

She    restrained  her  tears,   and  meekly  replied: 

"And  if  I  have,  dear  father,  is  it  a  matter  to  which 
you  would  feel  any  violent  opposition  ?" 


208  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

A  shade  of  anger  passed  across  the  parent's  brow, 
and  he  answered  somewhat  sternly : 

"  That  question,  my  daughter,  has  entirely  dissi- 
pated my  half-formed  hope.  But  I  did  not  wish  my 
question  thus  answered ;  so  be  pleased  to  return  a 
positive  reply.  Yet  that  is  now  scarcely  necessaiy." 

Partaking  of  her  father's  spirit,  with  a  tone  of 
suppressed  indignation,  she  replied:  "Father,  do 
you  not  think  there  is  an  inconsistency  in  your  con- 
duct ?  It  seems  that  either  your  present  proceeding 
is  wholly  uncalled  for,  or  you  have  heretofore  been 
very  remiss.  Had  you  waited,  in  due  time  you 
would  have  been  properly  acquainted  with  my  feel- 
ings ;  and  if,  in  setting  my  affections  on  him,  there 
is  so  great  a  wrong  committed  as  you  appear  to 
think,  I  certainly  should  have  had  a  timely  hint  to 
that  effect  long  since.  But,  as  I  must  answer  your 
question,  father,  I  do  love  Mr.  Justus,  nor  can  I 
perceive  the  harm  to  grow  out  of  it." 

Unable  longer  to  control  his  anger,  her  father  re- 
joined with  much  bitterness:  "No  harm,  indeed! 
Have  you  ever  considered  what  may  be  the  result 
of  this  idle  passion  ?" 

"Father,"  she  replied,  with  great  respect,  yet  in 
a  tone  of  firmness,  "  it  is  no  idle  passion  ;  or  it  is 
not,  if  I  am  capable  of  any  thing  else.  But  I  will 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  209 

frankly  acknowledge  the  extent  of  my  consider- 
ations as  to  the  final  result  is  limited — about  the 
same,  I  presume,  as  that  of  other  young  persons  in 
the  same  circumstances." 

For  a  while  he  was  silent  and  deeply  troubled. 
Then  he  asked  :  "  Is  your  heart  so  fully  taken  up  in 
this  affair,  that  if  your  father  were  to  forbid  all 
further  communication  with  this  stranger,  you  would 
not  yield  obedience  to  him  ?" 

"0  !  do  not  put  me  to  the  test,  father,"  she  ex- 
claimed eagerly,  and  with  great  energy. 

"Answer  me,  daughter.  Try  deep  in  your  heart 
both  sides  of  the  question,  and  if  your  love  is  of  so 
rank  a  growth  that  you  would  rather  take  the  most 
important  step  of  }Tour  whole  life  in  violation  of 
your  parent's  commands  than  endeavor  to  over- 
come it,  say  so.  Let  me  know  on  what  I  am  to  de- 
pend." 

A  look  of  mingled  anger  and  grief  was  cast  on 
him  by  the  fair  girl,  but  she  remained  silent,  trem- 
bling like  an  aspen.  The  voice  of  her  father  aroused 
her,  and  she  replied : 

"  Father,  I  will  endeavor  to  do  any  thing  you 
command,  even  were  it  this  very  thing.  But  do  not 
let  any  light  matter  induce  you  thus  to  restrain  me. 
I  will  not  say  it  would  destroy  my  peace,  or  any 
of  the  kind:  I  mio;ht  overcome,  I  mi^ht 


210  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

again  be  cheerful  and  happy;  yet,  it  would  be  a 
violent  tearing  loose  of  my  heart's  best  affections, 
and  would  cause  me  many  a  bitter  pang.  Were  I 
acquainted  with  any  thing  in  him  demanding 
such  a  proceeding,  it  might  be  attended  with  less 
pain." 

"  But  consider,  my  dear  daughter,  you  know  no- 
thing in  regard  to  this  man ;  he  is  but  a  stranger. 
lie  may  be  worthy,  but  we  have  no  evidence  of  his 
respectability,  save  in  his  deportment  before  us  ; 
and  as  he  has  evidently  been  playing  for  a  stake,  he 
has  had  sufficient  motives  of  interest  to  induce  him 
to  act  with  circumspection." 

"This  much  I  know  in  regard  to  him:  he  was 
received  into  my  father's  house,  and  that,  too,  into 
a  responsible  trust,  and  was  at  all  times  treated  by 
my  father  as  an  equal.  And,  further,  I  know  during 
my  acquaintance  with  him,  he  has  conducted  him- 
self most  becomingly  at  all  times." 

He  smothered  down  his  ireful  feelings  so  far  as 
he  was  able,  and  replied,  yet  in  no  very  amiable 
mood  : 

"  Such  language  to  your  father  very  ill  becomes 
you,  child;  but  I  suppose  you  mean  by  this  to 
charge  the  blame  of  your  imprudence  on  me ;  as 
though  I  could  not  employ  a  person  to  teach  my 
children,  but  my  daughter  must  take  it  for  an 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  211 

equivalent  to  declaring  him  a  suitable  match  for 
her.  Whereas,  his  being  engaged  in  the  occupa- 
tion of  a  strolling  music-teacher  should  excite  an 
abhorrence  of  the  very  idea." 

"!N"o,  father,  I  do  not  censure  you  for  any  thing ; 
nor  am  I  yet  able  to  see  that  any  one  is  to  be  blamed. 
But  I  cannot  do  else  than  think,  if  it  be  so  great  a 
remove  from  propriety  for  me  to  allow  my  thoughts 
to  run  in  this  channel,  a  warning  should  have  been 
sooner  given.  He  is  a  handsome  and  intelligent 
young  gentleman,  possessed  of  agreeable  and  capti- 
vating manners.  This  you  of  course  must  have 
seen,  and  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  your  daugh- 
ter should  be  gifted  with  more  discrimination  than 
belongs  to  her  sex  and  age.  Nature  is  still  the  same  ; 
our  hearts  are  susceptible  of  such  influences ;  and 
being  necessarily  in  his  company  —  seeing  him, 
hearing  him,  a  natural  consequence  was  to  love 
him." 

The  gentleman  answered  not,  but  paced  the  room 
in  deep  and  troubled  meditation.  His  daughter, 
with  forced  calmness  and  composure,  awaited  the 
result.  He  paused  near  her,  and  spoke  abruptly : 
"  Yet  you  promise  to  take  no  further  step  in  this 
matter  without  my  permission." 

"I  have  so  promised,"  replied  she,  mournfully; 
"  and  should  your  decision  be  the  death-blow  of  my 


212  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

hopes,  I  will  still  acquiesce ;  but  consider  it  only  a 
sacrifice  to  your  will,  for  I  never  expect  to  love 
him  the  less,  while  I  think  him  worthy ;  other  than 
which  I  can  at  present  scarcely  imagine  him 
to  be." 

Had  she  been  in  an  observing  mood,  she  might 
have  noticed  a  tear  start  from  her  parent's  eye  as 
this  answer  was  given.  But  he  soon  stifled  his 
emotions,  and  said: 

"Your  answer,  my  child,  both  rejoices  and 
grieves  me.  I  am  proud  to  know  you  possess  so 
high,  so  noble  a  sense  of  duty ;  yet  the  reflection 
that  your  own  well-being  may  demand  such  a  sacri- 
fice of  you,  pains  me  no  little.  I  could  not  rest, 
Rosalind,  after  learning  what  I  did  last  night,  till  I 
had  heard  from  your  own  lips  the  state  of  your  feel- 
ings in  regard  to  this  man.  You  are  fully  aware,  I 
feel  satisfied,  that  I  would  not  unnecessarily  pain 
you. 

"Nothing  but  a  solicitude  for  your  own  happi- 
ness has  prompted  my  present  action.  I  wish  to 
sound  a  warning  before  it  may  be  too  late.  What- 
ever else  may  be  said  of  a  connection  between  you, 
it  would  be  running  a  fearful  risk  on  your  side.  I 
do  not  know,  neither  do  I  seek  to  know,  to  what 
extent  you  may  have  proceeded  in  the  matter ;  but 
for  the  present,  let  it  remain  just  as  it  is.  Examine 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  213 

well :  you  are  young,  and  ought  not  to  think  of 
marriage  for  years. 

"  If  he  prove  himself  worthy,  I  will  give  my  will- 
ing consent."  There  was  no  response,  and  the 
gentleman  retired. 

A  few  days  after  the  arrival  of  the  Holmes  fam- 
ily, other  visitors  were  received  at  Clayton's — Mr. 
McMinime  and  lady.  Justus  now  looked  upon  his 
case  as  desperate ;  indeed,  he  felt  certain  an  expo- 
sure of  himself  would  at  once  take  place.  But,  not 
less  to  his  surprise  than  joy,  he  was  not  recognized ; 
and,  even  when  introduced,  the  name  Justus  did 
not  seem  to  call  up  any  recollection  in  the  mind 
of  the  other.  He  now  began  to  indulge  the  hope 
he  might  escape  recognition  entirely,  and  became 
lively  and  agreeable  in  conversation. 

An  unfortunate  turn  was  given  to  their  social 
amusement.  Some  one  chanced  to  speak  of  the 
approaching  camp-meeting,  which  suggested  to 
Holmes  the  question,  whether  the  ground  he  had 
passed  was  the  one  at  which  the  abolitionist  was 
taken  last  year. 

A  sudden  feeling,  as  of  a  disposition  to  swoon, 
came  over  Justus,  and  objects  in  the  room  swam 
indistinctly  before  his  eyes.  It  soon  passed  off, 
however,  without  having  been  observed ;  and  the 
question  not  leading  directly  to  a  realization  of  his 


214  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

fears,  he  again  breathed  freely,  and  was  almost 
ready  to  conclude  that  the  Fates,  though  disposed  to 
try  him  severely,  had  yet  conspired  in  his  favor. 
One  question  brought  on  another,  but  soon  the 
climax  came 

"Do  you  know  what  that  fellow  called  himself?" 

The  name  had  passed  out  of  McMinime's  recol- 
lection, but,  as  he  thoughtfully  cast  his  eyes  about 
the  room,  they  rested  on  Justus. 

"It  seems  to  me,"  he  said,  "it  is  Justus.  Yes,  I 
now  recollect  distinctly,  that  is  the  name." 

"Not  my  friend  here,  of  course,"  said  Holmes, 
"  although  he  bears  the  same  name ;  rather  an  un- 
usual one,  too." 

"  0,  no  !  there  is  no  danger  of  ever  catching  that 
chap  here  again :  he  thinks  too  much  of  himself 
for  that,"  said  the  other,  looking  Justus  steadily  in 
the  face.  He  paused  for  a  moment,  and  then  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Yes !  on  my  word,  this  is  the  same  man,  with- 
out a  doubt!" 

"  Impossible !"  exclaimed  Holmes.  "Mr.  Justus, 
here,  could  surely  never  have  assumed  his  pre- 
sent character,  were  he  the  same  person  you  speak 
of." 

The  calmness  of  despair  now  settled  on  the  abo- 
litionist. He  no  longer  had  any  room  for  hope; 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK.  215 

his  exposure  and  disgrace  were  inevitable.  To 
McMinime's  question,  whether  he  had  not,  on  a 
certain  occasion,  received  from  himself  a  bill  of  sale 
for  a  certain  boy,  named  Sambo,  he  replied : 

"  Gentlemen,  I  have  to  acknowledge  that  I  am 
the  person,  and  yet  not  the  same  person  either.  I 
may  say,  having  undergone  so  complete  a  change 
in  my  views.  Do  not  weigh  my  former  acts  against 
me  ;  but  let  circumstances  speak  in  my  excuse. 

"  Raised  in  Boston,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
that  I  was  an  abolitionist;  and  feeling  almost  as 
the  i  anointed  of  the  Lord'  for  the  extirpation  of 
slavery,  I  could  not  have  been  expected  to  do  other- 
wise than  act  rashly  and  imprudently.  But  that 
is  past;  I  have  seen  the  folly  of  my  course,  and, 
henceforth,  you  need  feel  no  apprehensions  for  your 
property  in  consequence  of  my  actions. 

"You,  sir,"  addressing  Holmes,  "may  think  you 
have  serious  cause  of  complaint  for  the  deceit  I  have 
practiced  upon  you ;  but,  I  think,  if  you  rightly 
consider,  there  is  no  real  ground  for  censure. 
What  could  I  do  ?  My  necessities  drove  me  to 
choose  the  occupation  I  did,  and  not  the  desire  to 
interfere  with  any  of  your  property  arrangements. 
You  have  no  reason  to  believe  I  have  acted  in  bad 
faith,  and  I  assure  you  I  have  not  done  so.  And 
now,  if  you  do  not  question  my  word,  will  you 


216  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

grant  rne  the  particular  favor  not  to  revive  this  old 
matter,  which,  at  the  best,  can  do  no  good,  and  will 
only  have  a  tendency  to  injure  me?" 

"I  do  not  know,  indeed,"  replied  McMinime, 
"  that  I  have  any  reason  to  credit  you  ;  yet  in  this 
I  will ;  and  promise  both  not  to  cause  you  any  in- 
terruption, and  to  forgive  your  former  errors." 

"The  former  promise  I  will  also  make,"  said 
Holmes;  "but  do  not  know  that  I  can  forgive  all 
that  has  passed.  However,  let  it  drop  for  the 
present." 

The  abolitionist  soon  left  the  room  ;  and  McMin- 
ime entertained  the  other  guests  with  an  account 
of  his  adventures  at  the  camp-meeting,  as  they  had 
come  under  his  own  observation. 

"A  complete  change!"  mused  Justus.  "Well, 
in  one  sense,  that  is  entirely  correct.  But  it  is 
only  that  I  see  the  utter  hopelessness,  nay,  the  mad- 
ness of  my  former  course ;  and  not  that  my  views 
in  regard  to  slavery,  or  liberation,  where  it  can  be 
carried  into  effect,  are  in  the  least  changed.  I  am 
afraid  my  visit  to  the  South,  so  far  as  my  book  is 
concerned,  will  prove  a  failure.  Yet,  if  my  plans 
succeed,  my  labor  shall  not  be  entirely  in  vain ;  I 
will  be  the  means  of  liberating  some  slaves,  though 
not  by  means  of  stealing,  as  it  is  denominated. 

"But  I  must   go  and  make  my  communication 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  217 

to  Rosalind  before  she  hears  of  this  affair;  and 
endeavor  to  counteract  whatever  prejudice  against 
me  may  be  aroused." 


218  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

A    CRISIS. 
"The  course  of  true  love  never  did  run  smooth." 

HE  gave  her  an  epitome  of  his  history,  relating 
the  cause  of  his  visit  South,  his  adventures  and 
sufferings ;  ending  with  the  recent  painful  scene. 

"I  made  up  my  mind,"  he  said,  "at  the  time  we 
crossed  the  creek,  to  give  you  this  account,  but 
have  delayed  it  for  want  of  opportunity. 

"And  now  what  shall  I  say  in  regard  to  my  con- 
duct? It  is  true  I  have  practiced  a  slight  decep- 
tion— though,  I  think,  justifiable  under  the  circum- 
stances ;  for,  although  my  views  in  regard  to  the 
rectitude  of  the  thing  are  the  same,  having  seen 
the  folly  of  my  former  course,  owing  to  the  imprac- 
ticability of  carrying  out  my  plans,  and,  determined 
to  interfere  no  more  with  the  relation  of  master 
and  servant,  I  was  aware  my  presence  simply  could 
be  an  injury  to  no  one.  And  yet,  I  knew,  to  de- 
clare the  principles  I  had  held  would  exert  an  influ- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  219 

ence  against  rue.  Do  not  understand  me  to  say  I 
consider  the  views  influencing  my  course  formerly 
to  be  correct ;  yet  I  as  much  as  ever  consider  sla- 
very an  evil,  if  there  were  any  means  of  doing  it 
away.  But  may  I  not  hope,  Rosalind,  that  the 
recollections  of  my  past  errors  will  not  be  allowed 
to  prejudice  your  mind  against  me  ?" 

"  I  shall  not  allow  a  corrected  mistake,  and  one 
the  result  of  education,  to  weigh  against  you, 
especially  as  your  motives  were  supposed  philan- 
thropy." 

This  was  very  cheering  to  Justus,  yet  it  did  not 
by  any  means  place  him  at  ease.  There  was  yet 
another  cause  of  trouble,  scarcely  less  potent  than 
the  one  just  disposed  of,  and  which,  indeed,  ren- 
dered of  no  avail  the  advantage  he  possessed  in  the 
continued  confidence  of  Rosalind.  He  scarcely 
entertained  the  shadow  of  a  hope  that  her  father 
would  now  consent  to  their  marriage ;  and  he 
desired  to  know  whether,  in  that  case,  the  lady 
could  be  induced  to  take  such  a  step  against  his 
will.  It  was  a  delicate  matter,  and  might  give 
gross  offence;  yet,  by  dexterous  management, 
without  betraying  his  design,  he  elicited  the  de- 
sired information.  But,  knowing  her  promise  to 
her  father,  the  reader  need  not  be  told  that  this  was 
not  in  accordance  with  his  wishes. 


220  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

Thus  enlightened,  he  determined  without  delay 
to  apply  to  Mr.  Holmes,  and  learn  at  once  his 
doom ;  for  if  the  Fates  were  to  declare  against  him, 
it  would  be  well  to  understand  it  immediately,  and 
to  endeavor,  by  a  separation  from  the  object  of  his 
affections,  to  forget  his  love  and  its  griefs.  This  is 
here  stated  quite  coldly  and  in  a  commonplace 
manner,  but  it  must  not  be  supposed  the  lover's 
cogitations  were  thus  conducted.  Yet,  however 
impetuous  his  passion,  the  time  for  action  had 
come.  If  his  suit  should  be  denied  by  the  father, 
his  hope  would  be  entirely  destroyed :  then,  to  be 
near  each  other,  would  only  render  their  mutual 
lot  harder  to  bear ;  and  delay  in  ascertaining  this 
fact  would  not  soften  one  pang. 

Induced  by  such  reflections,  amplified  and  ex- 
tended with  many  a  bitter  sigh,  he  formed  the 
before-stated  determination. 

Despair  lent  him  unusual  courage,  and  he  boldly 
and  unhesitatingly  opened  the  business,  stating  his 
feelings  and  his  wishes. 

^  Young  man,  you  astonish  me  !"  with  a  look  of 
the  utmost  surprise,  was  the  only  reply  returned. 

"I  am  very  well  aware,  Mr.  Holmes,"  he  said, 
"  that  circumstances  lately  transpired  are  not  such 
as  would  most  likely  influence  you  to  a  favorable 
reception  of  my  application ;  yet  I  hope  to  regain, 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  221 

by  my  future  conduct,  whatever  I  may  have  for- 
feited of  your  good  opinion.  If  you  have  no 
insuperable  objections  on  other  grounds,  though 
you  may  not  feel  disposed  to  give  your  consent  to 
the  measure  at  present,  allow  me  to  enjoy  the  hope 
that  the  future  may  be  more  propitious.  Do  not 
consign  me  to  utter  despair  by  entirely  rejecting 
ray  plea;  and  this  I  ask  as  much  for  your  daughter's 
sake  as  my  own." 

"Do  you  perceive  no  considerations  of  prudence 
which,  independently  of  the  circumstances  you 
speak  of,  might  lead  me,  in  the  view  of  securing 
my  daughter's  happiness,  to  refuse  listening  to 
your  proposal  ?" 

Justus  comprehended  but  too  distinctly  the 
meaning  of  this  question,  for  it  was  but  approach- 
ing the  point  which  had  so  much  troubled  him 
from  the  inception  of  his  passion  - — the  inferior 
position  he  himself  occupied  in  society.  Though 
he  did  not  rate  his  own  worth  below  that  of  the 
other,  in  consequence  of  their  relative  circum- 
stances outwardly,  yet  he  ever  reflected  with  pain- 
ful emotion  on  the  scorn  which  he  feared  an  appli- 
cation from  one  in  his  position  for  the  hand  of 
Rosalind  would  provoke.  Yet,  restraining  the 
display  of  feeling  excited  by  this  allusion,  he 
answered  with  dignity,  and  in  affected  surprise : 


222  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"I  really  am  not  aware  of  any  such  considera- 
tions, and  may  perhaps  be  able  to  remove  your 
scruples  in  regard  to  them,  after  they  shall  have 
been  stated." 

"In  the  first  place,  you  are  a  comparative 
stranger  to  my  daughter,  as  also  to  myself,  and 
even  this,  alone,  calls  for  circumspection,  in  a 
matter  thus  important." 

"  This  difficulty,  however,  my  plan  would  obviate. 
Appoint  me  a  reasonable  time  for  probation,  and  in 
the  meanwhile  make  such  observations  as  you  may 
deem  fit.  If,  at  the  end  of  that  time,  you  are  satis- 
fied of  my  rectitude  in  every  respect,  as  a  citizen 
and  a  man,  let  your  decision  be  in  accordance. 
But  if  otherwise,  I  can  then  only  receive  and  acqui- 
esce in  your  determination,  as  the  result  of  a  calm 
and  well-weighed  conviction  of  duty,  which  at  this 
time  I  might  very  reasonably  consider  the  result  of 
sudden  passion ;  or,  at  least,  that  it  was  not  duly 
deliberated  in  all  its  bearings." 

Holmes  felt  a  strong  inclination  to  inform  him 
that  he  was  at  perfect  liberty  to  consider  what  he 
chose,  and,  more  particularly,  to  go  his  way  and 
trouble  him  no  more ;  but  a  thought  of  his  daugh- 
ter restrained  him :  he  wished  to  conquer  her 
attachment,  which  he  did  not  doubt  accomplishing, 
if  he  had  not  mistaken  his  man;  but,  not  wishing 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  223 

to  employ  harsh  measures  in  the  agency,  he  replied 
mildly : 

"You  seem  to  forget  that  this  is  not  the  only 
reason  I  might  have  for  withholding  my  approval ; 
but  there  is  one  of  scarcely  less  importance.  I  do 
not  wish  to  wound  your  feelings,  but  the  subject 
demands  plain  dealing. 

"  Rosalind  has  been  brought  up  in  affluence,  and 
were  I  assured  your  position  in  life  fitted  you  for 
equality,  still  your  resources  are  not  such  as  to 
warrant  the  hope  that  you  can  maintain  the  style 
of  living  to  which  she  has  been  accustomed.  You 
surely  cannot  wish  to  become  the  instrument  in 
bringing  her  to  a  reverse,  which,  from  her  previous 
life,  will  be  the  more  keenly  felt?" 

For  a  time  Justus  was  silenced :  the  unwhole- 
som  truth  flushed  his  cheek  with  shame,  and  for  a 
moment  he  felt  doubtful  how  to  act.  Should  he 
take  this  as  an  explicit  denial,  or  only  look  upon  it 
as  a  trial,  and  demand  a  decisive  answer?  After 
musing  a  while,  he  said : 

"  Let  this  also  be  a  part  of  my  trial.  Say  what 
amount  of  property  I  must  accumulate — of  what 
kind,  and  all  this  will  I  accomplish." 

A  feeling  of  admiration  took  possession  of  Holmes, 
and  for  the  first  moment  he  felt  a  doubt  in  regard 
to  the  course  he  ought  to  pursue. 


224  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

"  If  I  only  had  reason  to  be  satisfied  that  this  is 
not  all  affected  on  his  part,  and  that  he  has  no  ulte- 
rior design  to  accomplish,  it  would  certainly  show 
him  in  a  far  more  favorable  light  than  I  ever  before 
viewed  him.  But  if  he  is  not  swayed  by  pure  affec- 
tion, what  can  be  his  motives?" 

He  could  not  divine,  yet  he  had  his  suspicions. 
And  though  they  might  seem  somewhat  unreason- 
able, he  could  only  think  of  the  dishonest  attempts 
the  same  person  had  once  made,  and  conclude  that 
no  intentions  a  sane  man  could  impute  to  such  an- 
tecedents would  be  absurd.  Suddenly,  a  new  idea 
entered  his  mind,  and  he  had  a  plot  laid  by  which 
to  assure  himself  whether  he  were  influenced  en- 
tirely by  love.  Addressing  Justus,  he  continued : 

"I  have  objections  on  my  part,  sir,  that  I  do  not 
think  can  be  removed ;  but  if,  after  a  full  consider- 
ation of  the  case,  the  dangers  and  uncertainties  in 
the  way,  Rosalind  is  still  of  her  present  mind,  you 
shall  have  my  consent." 

If  Justus  had  inclination,  he  had  not  opportunity 
to  express  his  gratitude,  for  at  that  moment  McMin- 
ime  made  his  appearance  to  take  leave  of  his  new 
friend. 

"I  see,  Mr.  Justus,  you  have  replaced  your  lost 
watch,"  said  he,  withdrawing  his  hand  from  the 
contact  with  that  gentleman,  and  with  a  significant 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEll.  l^O 

expression  of  countenance  which  the  other  did  not 
exactly  know  how  to  interpret.  He  did  not,  how- 
ever, concern  himself  about  his  meaning,  and  simply 
answered : 

"O,  yes!" 

Although  he  felt  a  strong  inclination  to  ask  if  the 
missing  "bill-of-sale  had  yet  turned  up,  he  prudently 
restrained  himself. 

That  part  of  the  story  related  by  Justus,  in  which 
his  former  conduct  had  been  exposed,  w^as  repeated 
to  Rosalind  by  her  father,  closing  with  the  ques- 
tion: 

"Do  you  not  think  you  now  have  made  the  dis- 
covery which  you  yourself  proposed  should  free  you 
from  your  obligation  to  him  ?  I  mean,  the  discovery 
that  this  man  is  unworthy  of  your  love  or  regard." 

"  I  must  confess,  I  cannot  see  wherein  he  has  so 
proven  himself,  father." 

"I  am  sure,  then,  I  can  scarcely  imagine  what 
could  render  him  unworthy  in  your  eyes.  What  is 
he  doing  here,  or  for  what  purpose  did  he  come? 
Simply,  to  steal  our  property,  should  a  favorable 
opportunity  present ;  and,  at  best,  to  devise  the  most 
practicable  ways  and  means  for  those  of  his  party  to 
carry  out  their  thievish  designs." 

"  Not  stealing,  father ;  not  thievish ;  at  least  so 
far  as  their  view  of  the  matter  is  concerned." 


226  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"Not  stealing!  Why,  would  they  not  deprive 
us  of  our  own,  without  any  kind  of  an  equivalent?" 

"  Most  true  ;  yet  they  view  the  thing  in  a  differ- 
ent light.  They  think  their  actions  justifiable,  nay 
virtuous.  And  though  I  am  far  from  approving 
their  conduct,  I  think  their  faith  in  their  opinions 
should  clear  them  at  least  of  part  of  their  guilt." 

"  The  admission  of  such  a  principle  would  de- 
stroy all  protection  to  society  and  property.  Wicked 
and  misguided  men  can  always  justify  themselves 
in  any  wrong.  The  principles  they  assume  would 
teach  the  vicious  and  profligate  the  justice  of  de- 
predating upon  the  stores  accumulated  by  the 
patient  industry  of  the  virtuous ;  and  even  the 
sacrifice  of  the  life  of  a  good  citizen  would  be 
viewed  as  a  virtuous  act,  when  revenge  or  interest 
prompted  the  deed.  No,  my  child ;  their  <  faith  in 
their  opinions'  cannot  clear  them  from  guilt;  but 
to  my  mind,  their  arrogance  enhances  it.  Why 
should  those  who  know  nothing  in  reality  of  our 
slavery,  except  the  name,  have  their  holy  horror  so 
much  excited  on  its  account  ?  Why  set  up  their 
mere  opinion  above  the  calm  conclusions  of  able 
and  candid  men,  who  have  given  their  earnest  at- 
tention to  the  subject,  and  anathematize  a  whole 
community  for  a  supposed  sin,  warranted  and  coun- 
tenanced by  God's  word  !  Forgetful  of  more  real 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  227 

suffering  at  home,  they  put  themselves  to  much  in- 
convenience to  inflict  an  injury  both  on  us  and  the 
objects  of  their  pity.  I  say  injury  to  the  slave  him- 
self, for,  not  to  mention  the  sad  condition  of  many 
they  steal,  where  one  is  thus  liberated,  the  state  of 
hundreds  is  often  made  worse  in  the  necessary  pre- 
caution to  prevent  them  sharing  the  same  fate.  At 
least,  such  is  the  natural  tendency." 

" Admitting  all  this,  even,  it  will  not  apply  at  pre- 
sent to  this  person,  who,  having  seen  his  wrong  in 
the  course  he  was  pursuing,  has  wisely  abandoned 
it." 

"  That  may  be,  but  I  doubt  it  very  much ;  yet 
hear  my  conclusion :  You  are  at  full  liberty  to  use 
your  own  pleasure  in  this  matter ;  but,  as  I  think  it 
unsafe  to  put  any  part  of  my  property  in  this  man's 
hands,  look  for  no  assistance  from  me.  Would  you 
marry  him  under  these  circumstances  ?" 

""What  kind  of  an  opinion  do  you  entertain  of 

me,  father,  that .  But  nothing  of  this  kind  can 

influence  me  ;  your  consent  is  all  I  ask ;  though, 
to  me,  it  seems  you  are  disposed  to  hasten  the  affair 
to  a  crisis;  yet,  perhaps,  it  is  as  well." 

He  did  not  seem  to  hear  the  latter  part  of  the 
reply,  and  said : 

"You  will  of  course  take  the  earliest  opportunity 
to  acquaint  him  with  this  decision :  for  be  assured 


228  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

there  will  be  a  vast  difference  in  his  feelings  when 
he  finds  the  prospect  is  to  connect  himself  with 
poverty,  instead  of  comparative  wealth." 

"  "With  some  this  might  he  true,  but  not  with  him  ; 
and,  indeed,  you  think  too  meanly  of  my  suitor. 
Perhaps  you  may  one  day  see  it,  and  regret  the 
course  you  have  taken.  Do  not  think,  however,  I 
repine  at  your  decision,  though  I  might  consider  it 
cruel,  for  this  can  have  no  influence  on  me,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  it  will  be  the  same  to  Mr.  Justus." 

"  Perhaps  so,  but  that  remains  to  be  seen." 

It  was  not  difficult  for  the  lady  to  observe  the 
evident  uneasiness  of  her  father;  but  being  in  a 
mood  to  impute  his  proceedings  to  unnecessary 
harshness,  she  little  knew  the  real  cause  of  his  dis- 
tress. But  could  she  have  read  his  heart,  as  he  re- 
tired, she  would  have  found  something  equivalent 
to  the  following  meditation  : 

"  It  is  a  source  of  real  grief  to  me,  thus  to  inflict 
pain  upon  her,  and  I  am  not  altogether  pleased 
with  the  deception  I  am  practicing,  yet  I  think  it  is 
allowable.  I  believe  this  change  in  affairs  will  work 
a  far  greater  one  in  that  fellow's  mind  ;  and  Rosa- 
lind, being  a  girl  of  sense,  will  learn  to  overcome 
her  unwise  attachment,  seeing  how  unworthy  he  is. 
But  if  the  effect  anticipated  is  not  produced,  I  shall 
be  forced  slightly  to  alter  my  opinion  of  him  ;  and, 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  229 

my  promise  being  out,  I  can  object  no  longer,  and 
must  of  course  do  all  I  can  for  them." 

The  reception  Justus  had  met  from  Holmes  was 
not  calculated  to  inspire  him  with  very  lively  hopes ; 
but,  as  the  matter,  after  all,  was  to  be  decided  by 
Rosalind,  he  felt  a  feverish  anxiety  to  hear  what 
effect  the  representations  of  her  father  had  pro- 
duced in  her  mind.  Almost  infinitely  to  his  re- 
lief, he  learned  there  would  be  no  opposition  to 
their  wishes ;  the  conclusion  of  the  sentence  con- 
veying the  information,  however,  was  productive 
of  a  vast  change  in  his  feelings  ;  indeed,  it  threw  a 
complete  extinguisher  over  his  joy. 

"  They  would  be  cut  off,  and  left  dependent  on 
themselves." 

For  a  time  his  surprise  was  too  great  for  utter- 
ance. Obtaining  command  of  language,  he  re- 
marked, in  a  tone  intended  to*  be  one  of  pleas- 
antry : 

"You  jest,  Miss  Bosalind;  it  is  only  your  inten- 
tion to  try  me." 

To  say  the  lady  was  surprised,  wrould  but  poorly 
describe  her  sensations.  A  sickly  pang  of  disap- 
pointment blended  with  the  doubts  that  took  pain- 
ful possession  of  her;  yet  it  was  more  the  manner 
of  the  speaking,  than  the  words  uttered,  that  af- 
fected her;  and,  as  she  observed  the  successive 


230  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

changes  of  his  countenance,  she  could  not  repress 
the  thoughts  of  her  father's  words  regarding  the 
change  to  be  produced  in  her  lover  by  this  very  an- 
nouncement. She  was  pained  to  witness  his  emo- 
tion, the  cause  of  which  the  most  stupid  blindness 
could  not  fail  to  see ;  yet,  as  it  was  the  first  and 
only  thing  yet  observed  calculated  to  weaken  her 
faith  in  the  love  she  had  hitherto  believed  as  pure 
as  her  own,  a  lingering  hope  remained.  Sudden 
joy  and  surprise  at  the  consent  so  happily  obtained, 
might  have  produced  undue  excitement,  which 
strangely  reflected  his  true  state  of  mind. 

Still,  her  doubts  were  exceedingly  oppressive, 
to  remove  which  her  course  of  action  was  speedily 
taken. 

"No,"  she  replied;  "not  jesting,  not  trying  you, 
Mr.  Justus ;  but,  as  our  engagement  wras  entered 
into  at  a  time  when  I  occupied  a  different  position, 
justice  would  forbid  the  thought  that  you  are  still 
bound  by  the  promise  then  given,  if  in  the  least  in 
conflict  with  your  present  feelings.  And  I  now 
release  you  from  your  obligation." 

It  required  no  slight  effort  on  the  lady's  part  to 
give  utterance  to  this  declaration  ;  yet,  considering 
it  as  an  act  of  duty,  she  suffered  nothing  in  her 
manner  to  give  the  lie  to  her  words.  That  in  the 
warmth  of  her  heart's  first  love  she  entertained  a 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  231 

secret  hope  of  her  lover's  reasseverating  his  at- 
tachment, there  is  strong  ground  to  suppose. 

Justus  was  a  philosopher.  In  no  important  act, 
since  assuming  his  present  character — "a  friend  of 
the  slave" — had  he  lost  sight  of  the  great  business 
of  his  life.  He  had  even  refused  to  give  indulgence 
to  his  regard  for  the  prospectively  wealthy  Rosa- 
lind Holmes  until  his  reason  had  become  con- 
vinced that,  in  this  way,  as  much,  perhaps,  as  any 
other,  he  might  advance  the  object  of  his  mission ; 
and  now,  to  consummate  the  matter  by  cutting  off 
all  hopes  of  accomplishing  any  thing  in  his  proper 
line,  not  to  speak  of  the  want  of  personal  advan- 
tage, was  a  thought  not  to  be  entertained.  Had  he 
been  fully  aware  that  the  determination  of  her 
father,  as  represented  by  the  lady,  was  final  and 
irrevocable,  his  course  would  have  been  distinctly 
pointed  out.  "But  might  not  he  temporize  until 
some  favorable  change  should  occur?"  Yet,  to  re- 
turn a  favorable  response,  and  avoid  committing 
himself  on  either  hand,  was  a  delicate  point. 

His  hesitation  and  embarrassment  were  rightly 
interpreted  by  Rosalind,  whose  crushed  heart  now 
saw  that  her  reverse  of  fortune  was  more  potent 
than  his  love.  Her  sensations  they  only  can  imagine 
who  have  had  the  painful  truth  forced  upon  them, 
that  a  really  beloved  object  is  unworthy  their  re- 


232  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

gard.  Did  we  possess  the  ability,  we  would  not 
attempt  to  analyze  that  heart. 

His  deep  thoughtfulness  seeming  unlikely  to  re- 
sult in  a  decision  of  any  kind,  the  lady  at  length 
broke  the  silence,  remarking,  in  a  tone  of  attempted 
calmness,  yet  slightly  broken  by  emotion : 

"I  am,  then,  to  construe  your  silence  into  an  ap- 
proval of  my  suggestion,  and  to  consider  you  free 
from  any  promise  you  have  made  to  me  ?  It  now 
only  remains  that  we  mutually  endeavor  to  forget." 

Before  he  could  recover  himself  sufficiently  to 
speak,  she  was  gone.  "Whether  to  her  apartment, 
to  lament  and  bewail  her  fate,  and  mourn  over  the 
heartlessness  of  man,  or  to  seek  strength  to  bear 
up  under,  or  subdue  her  grief,  we  know  not ;  but, 
from  her  disposition  and  subsequent  life,  we  pre- 
sume the  latter,  and  that  she  was  successful. 

All  that  we  can  certainly  state  is,  that,  as  she 
chanced  to  pass  by  "Aunt  Rachel,"  that  ancient 
domestic  exclaimed,  in  much  surprise : 

"La,  Miss  Rosy!  what  de  mattah?  Cryin'  like 
a  chile !"  she  continued,  as  "Miss  Rosy"  hurried 
on,  without  so  much  as  a  passing  notice. 

This  was  pushing  matters  to  an  extremity  the 
abolitionist  had  not  anticipated;  yet,  feeling  that, 
for  the  present,  the  stake  for  which  he  had  been  so 
long  playing  was  lost,  he  determined  at  once  to 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  233 

withdraw  from  her  company.  Still  trusting,  how- 
ever, that  fortune  in  the  future  might  favor  their 
union  on  favorable  terms,  he  sought  to  leave  open 
the  way  to  that  event  by  the  following  note,  written 
on  the  eve  of  his  departure : 

DEAR  ROSALIND: — Language  cannot  express  the 
pain  I  feel  at  the  thought  that  you  might  suppose  my 
love  for  you  changed  by  the  information  com- 
municated in  our  last  interview.  As  my  present 
fortune  would  hardly  justify  me  in  asking  you  to 
share  it,  the  hope  of  its  improvement  now  tears  me 
from  you.  Little  know  you  the  strength  of  my 
affection,  could  you  suppose  I  desire  a  release  from 
our  engagement.  Think  not  of  this,  but  let  us 
look  to  the  happy  day  when  we  may  be  one. 

Your  ever  faithful 

CAROLUS. 

The  wounded  heart  of  Rosalind  was  not  thus  to 
be  healed.  With  true  womanly  instinct,  she  had 
read  the  secret  of  her  calculating  lover ;  and  though 
at  the  cost  of  a  painfully  protracted  struggle,  she 
determined  to  banish  him  for  ever  from  her  mind. 


234  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE- DEALER. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

A    REVIEW — A    NEW   FIELD. 

"What  has  been  done,  no  good  result  portends: 
A  change,  perhaps,  success  may  yet  insure." 

"Allured  by  prospects  bright,  my  hopes  I've  built 
On  a  frail  base,  that  sinks  beneath  its  load." 

THE  only  tie  that  could  have  bound  Justus  to  his 
occupation  of  private  tutor,  was  now  severed ;  and 
he  was  left  at  liberty  to  cany  out  the  design  for- 
merly experienced,  of  seeking  a  new  and  more 
favorable  point  for  observation.  But  he  now  felt 
some  slight  misgivings  as  to  the  success  of  his  en- 
terprise. Before  proceeding  further,  it  seemed  ne- 
cessary to  review  his  past  course,  to  determine,  from 
the  success  already  attained,  his  subsequent  move- 
ments. 

"What  has  been  my  aim  in  this  Southern  tour?" 
he  first  proposed  for  consideration. 

"  In  the  first  place,  I  wished  personally  to  watch 
the  operations  of  slavery,  and,  from  these  observa- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  235 

tions,  to  write  such  an  exposure  of  its  iniquity  as 
would  convince  the  world  of  its  wickedness." 

Further  reflection  raised  a  doubt  as  to  the  eligi- 
bility of  the  latitude  in  which  he  had  fallen  for  his 
particular  purpose ;  and  the  fact  was  before  him, 
that  his  conduct  on  every  occasion  had  not  strictly 
harmonized  with  the  rule  of  right.  Yet,  by  an  easy 
application  of  his  principles,  his  conscience  stood 
acquitted ;  and  in  their  connection  his  errors  assumed 
the  form  of  commendable  virtues. 

"But  have  I  accomplished  any  thing  commensu- 
rate with  my  vast  design,  the  difficulties  and  dangers 
to  which  I  have  been  exposed,  or  even  the  suffering 
actually  endured?" 

He  could  call  to  mind  no  pointed  success,  but 
would  glance  over  his  manuscript.  It  had  grown 
quite  bulky,  but  it  failed  to  give  pleasure :  he  had 
none  of  the  rare  incidents  there  recorded  which  he 
had  expected  to  find.  Reflecting  on  what  he  had 
himself  seen,  he  even  indulged  the  thought — could 
his  Northern  friends  ever  forgive  it  — that  such  cases 
as  those  of  "Old  Prue,"  and  "Uncle  Tom,"  were 
merely  the  creation  of  the  novelist ;  or,  otherwise, 
but  one  of  those  exhibitions  of  human  barbarity 
that  will  occasionally  be  witnessed,  aiid  that  not  only 
where  there  is  "wholly  irresponsible  power,"  but 
even  in  the  face  of  law  and  authority.  He  was  fully 


236  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

aware,  at  the  worst,  such  things  were  never  com- 
mon, if  he  had  not  been  very  unfortunate  in  his 
notings,  or  else  they  belonged  to  a  bygone  age. 

"A  bygone  age,"  he  repeated;  "but  if  slavery 
has  ever  produced  such  results,  can  it  not  do  so 
again  ?  Admit  it  is  no  part  of  the  system ;  still, 
ought  any  thing  to  be  tolerated  that  is  so  susceptible 
of  abuse  ?  But  what  is  there  so  noble  or  good  that 
it  cannot  be  turned  to  bad  account  ?  Alas,  nothing; 
and  I  have  lived  long  enough  to  learn  that  the  abuse 
of  a  thing  argues  nothing  against  it." 

After  all  this,  however,  he  was  not  fully  prepared 
to  admit  that  slavery  was  any  thing  but  an  abuse, 
at  its  best  estate :  he  simply  doubted  its  being  re- 
sponsible for  all  charged  to  it  by  its  opponents. 

On  a  cursory  examination  of  his  manuscript,  he 
was  disappointed  at  having  collected  so  little  to  his 
purpose ;  and  this  feeling  was  deepened  to  a  degree 
of  shame  as  his  attention  was  arrested  by  the  sur- 
mises he  had  stated  as  indubitable  facts,  but  which 
he  had  since  learned  were  wholly  unfounded. 

"I  will  burn  it,"  said  he,  turning  to  the  fire  for 
that  purpose.  "  I  will  burn  it,  and  direct  attention 
to  some  other  quarter  for  usefulness  and  fame." 
But  ere  he  had  performed  that  rash  deed,  a  better 
determination  arose. 

"  Stop  !"  he  said ;  "  it  may  be  put  to  some  worthier 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  237 

use,  though  of  no  service  to  me.  All  has  been  said 
on  the  subject  that  can  be  said ;  but  to  this  I  will 
append  a  brief  account  of  my  adventures,  and  place 
it  in  the  hands  of  a  friend,  whose  genius  and  fancy 
can  easily  supply  what  my  facts  have  failed  to  dis- 
cover. I  would  not  be  surprised  if  it  should  turn 
out  a  splendid  affair,  and  my  portion  of  the  profits 
yet  prove  no  inconsiderable  amount." 

Alas  for  the  uncertainty  of  human  calculation ! 
This  brilliant  scheme  was  unhappily  frustrated  by 
the  unfortunate  loss  of  the  precious  documents,  a 
calamity  that  occurred  before  he  reached  Massachu- 
setts— a  source  of  grief  to  the  individual  sufferer,  and 
an  irreparable  loss  to  the  philanthropic  world. 

IJaving  thus  disposed  of  the  great  work  that  had 
hitherto  been  the  prime  object  of  his  life,  his  mind 
lingered  for  a  time  on  past  scenes  and  transactions 
of  minor  consideration.  They  reverted  to  the  camp- 
meeting,  and  his  dealings  with  McMinime,  his  re- 
cognition by  the  same  person ;  and  as  the  tempta- 
tion presented  to  him  during  the  night's  ride  again 
returned,  he  muttered  half  audibly,  while  his  frame 
again  trembled  under  the  strength  of  his  emotion  : 

"Yes!  he  is  the  occasion  of  it  all.  He  must 
have  recognized  me  as  I  passed;  and  that  is  un- 
doubtedly the  reason  of  his  visit  here — merely  to 
expose  me  !  Holmes  would  never  have  thus  acted 


238  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

but  for  this.  "Well,  he  has  defeated  me  again ;  but 
he  may  make  the  most  of  it.  He  knows  not  the 
advantage  I  hold  over  him,  though  it  may  be  learned 
at  some  future  time,  when  circumstances  are  favor- 
able to  my  wish.  If  it  were  only  Henry,  he  would 
feel  it  more  sensibly.  But  all  this  hereafter." 

The  revenge  meditated  is  already  apparent  to  the 
reader.  The  abolitionist  having  been  .frustrated  in 
his  design  by  McMinime,  could  easily  reconcile  it 
with  his  views  to  retaliate  in  any  way  that  might 
further  his  interest.  Feeling  he  had  him  in  his 
power,  he  reserved  the  right  to  use  it,  until  circum- 
stances should  develop  a  suitable  opportunity. 

Having  thus  disposed  of  these  important  sub- 
jects, his  next  care  was  for  himself  personally.  In 
his  heart  he  felt  a  yearning  for  the  scenes  and 

friends  of  his  childhood's  home ;    but  from  other 

i 
considerations,  the  South  had  more  charms  for  him, 

and  here  he  resolved  to  fix  his  home.  But  how 
should  he  employ  himself?  On  this  he  did  not  long 
debate  ;  he  had  of  late  noticed  an  advertisement  in 
the  papers  for  a  competent  person  to  take  charge  ot 
a  certain  academy,  and  for  this  place  he  resolved 
to  apply. 

We  pass  over  the  parting  with  his  late  friends. 
To  Rosalind,  despite  her  previous  resolution,  it  was 
painful  in  the  extreme ;  while  to  Holmes  it  was  a 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  239 

matter  of  profound  satisfaction  to  be  thus  rid  of  the 
unpromising  aspirant  to  a  family  connection.  In 
his  joy,  he  freely  gave  a  recommendation  to  the  late 
tutor  for  the  position  he  sought,  who  soon  found 
himself  installed  the  principal  of  a  flourishing  high- 
school. 

Prosperity  now  dawned  upon  him.  His  salary 
was  liberal,  and  he  set  to  work  in  earnest,  providing 
himself  a  home,  with  all  its  comforts.  Soon  a 
graceful  mansion  arose  on  a  lovely  site,  selected  and 
purchased  for  the  purpose ;  and  a  portion  of  the  cir- 
cumjacent prairie  was  converted  into  a  fruitful  farm. 
This  was  the  establishment  of  the  president,  the 
sounding  title  by  which  the  new  teacher  was  called. 

Justus  now  began  casting  about  for  that  first, 
last  grace  of  a  home ;  that  without  which  the  most 
splendid  residence  is  unworthy  of  the  name — a 
suitable  wife.  And  on  more  than  one  occasion  had 
his  thoughts  strayed  away  to  the  beautiful,  the  ac- 
complished Rosalind  Holmes ;  but  this  was  for- 
bidden ground,  and  they  were  speedily  recalled. 
"We  may  inform  the  reader,  in  this  place,  that,  sub- 
sequent to  his  departure  from  Mr.  Clayton's,  he  had 
received  a  billet  from  the  lady,  breaking  off  uncon- 
ditionally all  connection  between  them,  and  for- 
bidding in  an  equally  decided  manner  all  attempts 


240  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

to  renew  it.     But  for  this,  his  conduct  might  have 
been  different. 

In  his  prosperity,  Justus  could  have  been  excused 
for  the  thought, 

"full  surely 

My  greatness  is  ripening." 

But,  in  the  very  height  of  his  success,  a  cloud  was 
gathering  over  his  head — a  most  portentous  cloud ! 
To  be  brief,  it  burst  upon  him,  and  removed  him 
from  his  place  of  profit  and  honor.  His  reverse 
was  brought  about  by  his  latent  propensity  for  re- 
form. 

The  phonetic  system  of  instruction  had  been  but 
a  few  years  in  use  in  our  country.  Chancing  to 
come  in  contact  with  it,  he  considered  it  the  very 
improvement  needed — a  great  desideratum ;  and  it 
was  at  once  introduced  into  his  seminary.  Soon  he 
thought  Noah  "Webster,  with  his  antiquated  spell- 
ing-book— which  may  yet  have  suited  his  day  very 
well — would  be  forgotten,  or  only  remembered  to 
add  brilliancy,  by  its  contrast,  to  the  late  discovery. 
E~ot  only  did  he  receive  the  new  system  under  his 
patronage,  but  took  every  occasion  to  decry  the 
"dull  and  stupid  Roman."  Believing  his  protege 
to  require  only  an  introduction  to  general  notice,  to 
supersede  entirely  the  old  method  of  communi- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  241 

eating  on  paper,  he  left  no  means  untried  for  that 
purpose. 

He  even  went  so  far  as  to  hold  the  other  mode, 
with  its  great  apostle,  the  said  "Noah, "up  to  ridicule 
in  a  little  ditty,  picked  up,  or  invented  for  the  occa- 
sion, which  he  sometimes  sang  in  school. 

For  his  own  part,  he  would  never  write  another 
sentence  in  the  "tiresome,  cumbrous"  style  now  in 
common  use ;  and  that  all  might  he  convinced  he 
did  possess  the  wonderful  art — at  least,  to  such  a 
motive  it  was  generally  attributed — each  Sunday 
would  find  him,  much  to  the  disturbance  of  some, 
and  greatly  to  the  honor  of  others,  duly  prepared 
with  note -book  and  pencil,  to  take  down  the 
sermon. 

A  little  common  sense  might  have  led  any  one  to 
see  the  folly  of  this  course.  But  Justus  w^as  a  re- 
former, and,  in  spite  of  his  intelligence,  his  theories 
led  him  into  wide  extremes.  As  an  abolitionist, 
he  saw  only  in  slavery  a  wrong  not  to  be  tolerated. 
As  a  teacher,  the  time  had  now  come  when,  at  his 
decision,  along-established  system  must  be  abolished 
for  an  untried  novelty. 

He  did  not  reflect  that,  even  should  he  establish 
the  superiority  of  his  plan,  it  would  be  a  matter  of 
some  difficulty  to  induce  those  who  had  grown 
hoary  in  the  use  of  something  different,  to  concur. 


242  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Those  iii  advance  of  the  age  cannot  expect  the 
sympathy  of  their  contemporaries.  As  their  common 
fate  is,  to  be  unappreciated,  it  is  not  marvellous  that 
our  reformer  had  soon  raised  a  storm  of  opposition. 

The  "reverend  graybeards"  looked  upon  the 
whole  measure  as  perfect  nonsense.  "The  old  plan 
had  always  worked  well:  the  new  could  do  no 
better." 

Justus  had  hitherto  been  universally  esteemed ; 
but  the  charm  was  now  broken.  Some  one  had 
been  found  to  assail  his  favorite  system,  and  now 
his  faults  began  to  multiply. 

Some  discovered  he  was  "no  teacher  anyhow," 
and,  since  he  had  taken  this  "  idle  whim  into  his 
head,"  he  was  "  doing  no  good  at  all."  "  His  pupils," 
they  said,  "were  afflicted  with  a  complete  mania  on 
the  subject  of  phonographic  writing.  Their  other 
studies  were,  in  a  manner,  neglected  in  consequence 
of  the  demand  upon  their  time  of  regular  steno- 
graphic correspondence  with  schools  of  a  similar 
kind."  And  they  did  not  "believe  the  authors 
would  themselves  be  able  to  decipher  the  letters  a 
week  afterwards,  without  diligently  comparing  them 
with  their  'alphabets.'  And,  not  to  speak  of  the 
time  wasted  in  acquiring  it,  each  one  was  wont,  at 
stated  periods,  to  spend  as  much  labor  in  penning 
a  few  lines  as  would  suffice  any  youth  of  moderate 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  243 

ability  in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  that  time- 
honored  puzzle,  the  'Double  Rule  of  Three.' ' 

This  is  only  a  specimen  of  the  complaints  urged 
on  this  one  point;  the  charges  and  specifications 
were  almost  innumerable.  We  do  not  pretend  to 
"take  sides"  in  the  quarrel;  yet,  we  will  say  it 
seems  evident  that  his  opponents  were  unwilling  to 
grant  him  a  fair  trial,  and  charged  on  his  system 
what  was,  in  reality,  due  to  a  want  of  time  and  ex- 
perience. As  to  who  was  in  the  wrong,  or  whether 
there  was  any  wrong,  the  reader  himself  must  de- 
termine. 

It  was  in  vain,  at  this  stage  of  the  proceedings, 
that  the  president  made  concessions :  he  would 
even  lay  aside  the  new  method  of  teaching  entirely  ; 
but  it  was  now  too  late  for  this  to  avail.  His 
patrons  had  become  dissatisfied,  and  nothing  but  his 
removal  could  atone  for  his  fault.  As  the  only  al- 
ternative, he  was  forced  to  resign  his  position. 

Thus  left  without  occupation,  he  was  at  liberty 
to  carry  out  his  long-meditated  design  of  revisiting 
Boston,  and  no  time  was  lost  in  making  his  arrange- 
ments for  this  end. 


244  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTEE    XX. 

THE    LIBERATORS. 

"They  touch  our  country,  and  their  shackles  fall." 

THE  plan  of  Justus's  travel  was,  to  take  the  boat 
at  Shreveport,  and  descend  to  New  Orleans,  thence 
to  his  destination. 

It  was  night  when  he  reached  the  hotel  in  the  for- 
mer place,  and,  while  registering  his  name,  he  cast 
his  eye  above,  where  he  read — 

"T.  McMinime,  and  servant;"  destination,  "New 
Orleans." 

"So,  we  meet  once  more,  do  we?"  he  mentally 
exclaimed.  "Well,  I  presume  he  can  do  me  no 
further  injury."  Yet  he  could  not  help  feeling  a 
strange  kind  of  excitement. 

o 

We  find  nothing  worthy  of  attention  in  the  trip 
to  the  Cresent  City.  It  was  accomplished  without 
accident  or  delay. 

McMinime  and  Justus  met  much  as  other  travel- 
lers thrown  together  under  similar  circumstances 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  245 

would  have  done.  They  beguiled  the  time  with 
social  intercourse  and  lively  chat ;  and  one  would 
have  thought  Justus  had  forgotten  all  his  animosity. 

Arrived  at  this  place,  the  Texas  planter  learned 
that,  on  account  of  circumstances  he  had  not  fore- 
seen, it  would  be  necessary  to  continue  his  journey 
to  New  York.  This  was  a  source  of  no  little  re- 
gret, for  he  was  attended  by  his  most  valuable  ser- 
vant, and  he  knew  the  risk  of  having  him  forcibly 
taken  from  him.  He  might,  indeed,  leave  him  be- 
hind, but  that  would  interfere  with  his  plan  of  re- 
turn. He  decided  on  retaining  him  in  his  own 
company,  trusting,  as  his  business  would  detain  him 
but  a  day  or  two,  to  be  able  to  keep  his  presence  a 
secret  to  the  New  Yorkers,  having  the  promise  of 
the  captain's  assistance,  who  was  to  have  him  in 
charge,  as  a  hand  on  the  vessel. 

They  who  have  the  leisure  and  tact,  may  descant 
on  the  beauty  and  propriety  of  this  state  of  things,  under 
which  the  citizen  of  a  great  nation  is  forced  to  skulk  and 
hide  his  property  when  visiting  another  portion  of  his  own 
land !  We  have  only  time  to  call  attention  to  it, 
knowing  not  how  sufficiently  to  admire  the  moral 
heroism  of  those  who,  forgetful  of  their  own  little 
imperfections,  would  entirely  disregard  the  rights 
of  others,  and  subvert  their  country's  laws  to  ex- 
tricate their  neighbors  from  a  state  of  imaginary 


246  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

guilt,  sanctioned  by  God,  as  the  sacred  records  show, 
and  practiced  by  His  acknowledged  servants. 

In  due  time  they  were  under  way  for  the  Empire 
City,  Justus  taking  passage  in  the  same  vessel. 

During  the  voyage,  the  abolitionist  expressed  some 
solicitude  lest  the  Southerner  should  lose  his  ser- 
vant ;  and  he  even  asked  Henry,  in  the  presence  of 
his  master,  what  he  would  do  if  the  abolitionists  of 
New  York  should  lay  hands  on  him. 

"I  reckin,  mastah,  dey  wont  take  me  'way  when  I 
tell  um  I  don't  want  to  go.  "Will  dey  ?" 

"  Don  't  trust  too  much  to  that ;  they  will  scarcely 
pay  attention  to  any  thing  you  can  say,  should  they 
make  the  effort.  So,  your  only  chance  for  safety 
will  be  to  keep  concealed,  and  thus  escape  observa- 
tion." 

"If  they  can  get  Henry  off  with  his  own  consent, 
they  are  welcome  to  go  with  him,"  remarked  his 
master.  "All  I  fear  is,  that  they  will  force  him 
away  without  listening  to  his  remonstrances." 

The  interest  Justus  seemed  to  take  in  the  safe- 
keeping of  the  servant  was  a  cause  of  no  little 
wonder  to  McMinime ;  yet  it  was  a  something  he 
could  not  doubt,  proceed  from  what  source  it  might. 
"And  why  did  he  have  such  fears  of  an  attempt  at 
liberation  ?  Was  there  any  possible  way  in  which 
he  could  have  received  intimation  of  such  a  pur- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  247 

pose,  or  was  it  alone  from  his  knowledge  of  the 
character  of  the  persons  among  whom  they  went  ? 
It  surely  could  not  be  the  former." 

At  any  rate  there  seemed  to  be  a  presentiment  in 
his  mind  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to  liberate 
Henry.  Before  the  voyage  had  ended,  he  sought 
opportunity  to  warn  the  negro,  in  case  he  should  be 
taken,  and  not  be  pleased  with  his  lot,  to  have  him- 
self placed  under  the  guardianship  of  his  present 
adviser,  who  might,  perhaps,  find  means  to  recon- 
duct  him  to  Texas. 

The  steamer  was  in  a  state  of  preparation  to  de- 
part for  Galveston.  Every  thing  had,  so  far,  an- 
swered to  the  wishes  of  the  Texan  planter.  To 
Henry  the  time  had  passed  heavily.  His  reflections 
had  been  of  home,  of  his  loved  wife,  and  sweet 
child.  "Ah  !  should  he  ever  see  them  again  ?" 

Often  had  he  wished  that "  Mas  Tom  had  'nt  neber 
fetched  him  away  from  Cindy  and  Charley." 
However,  his  troubles  have  in  a  great  measure 
ceased.  He  shall  soon  be  on  his  way  home.  One 
would  hardly  feel  disposed  to  chide  the  negro  for 
his  manifestation  of  delight  as  he  felt  that  now  all 
danger  is  over ;  for  surely,  at  this  late  hour,  as  the 
fire  is  beginning  to  glow  in  the  engine-room,  the 
most  fearful  heart  could  anticipate  no  evil. 

Yet,  at  this  very  time,  the  vessel  was  boarded  by 


248  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

some  twenty  or  thirty  rude  looking  men,  many  of 
them  under  the  influence  of  liquor.  The  person 
who  seemed  to  be  the  leader,  approached  the  cap- 
tain, abruptly  remarking: 

"  We  have  been  told  there  is  a  slave  on  board  this 
vessel ;  is  it  so  ?" 

The  captain  saw  the  case  was  hopeless,  and  was 
for  a  moment  undecided.  It  was,  however,  but  for 
a  moment.  Whispering  a  word  to  one  of  his  men 
who  chanced  to  be  near,  he  turned  on  his  assailants : 

"And  if  there  is,  sir,  I  presume  he  does  not  be- 
long to  you ;  and  as  you  are  intruding  on  my 
rights,  I  warn  you  to  retire  at  once,  or  abide  the 
consequences." 

McMinime,  on  hearing  the  question,  felt  for  his 
pistol ;  for  though  the  odds  were  immense,  he  was 
determined  to  resist  to  the  last  extremity ;  and  he 
was  not  sure  but  the  sight  of  a  "  six-shooter"  in  the 
hands  of  one  well  skilled  in  its  use,  might  scare  the 
rabble  off.  He  had,  however,  left  it  in  the  cabin. 
To  descend  for  it  wras  but  the  work  of  a  moment. 
On  regaining  the  deck,  he  heard  the  former  speaker 
exclaim  in  a  loud  and  angry  tone  : 

"  You  have  him  stowTed  away  in  the  cabin,  but  it 
will  not  avail,  sir ;  we  will  take  the  privilege  of 
searching,  and  will  have  him  in  spite  of  all  your 
efforts  to  the  contrary." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  249 

As  this  was  uttered,  the  captain  took  his  stand 
beside  the  owner  of  the  negro,  at  the  head  of  the 
stairs.  At  the  same  time,  they  were  joined  by  all 
the  crew  who  could  be  spared,  armed  with  such  im- 
plements of  defence  as  could  hastily  be  gathered. 

The  boarding  party,  now  reinforced  by  as  many 
more,  also  pressed  on  valiantly. 

"I  will  kill  the  first  man  that  advances  another 
step,"  said  McMinime,  laying  a  peculiar  emphasis 
on  the  word  kill. 

"  Then  you  will  kill  a  good  many  of  us." 

The  closing  part  of  the  sentence  was  drowned  in 
the  report  of  the  pistol,  which  had  been  deliberately 
aimed  at  the  head  of  the  foremost  man.  To  the 
surprise  of  each  one  of  the  defenders,  he  kept  his 
feet,  merely  clapping  his  hand  over  his  eye,  and 
taking  a  position  back  in  the  crowd. 

The  pistol  was  immediately  discharged  again, 
with  a  like  result,  varied  slightly  by  a  cry  of  rage 
and  pain  from  the  recipient  of  its  contents,  as  he 
hastily  followed  'his  fellow.  Yet,  still  they  pressed 
on,  and  shooting  was  no  longer  practicable.  Then, 
raised  high  in  air,  the  heavy  cylinder,  descending 
with,  wrathful  force,  laid  one  of  the  assailants 
heavily  on  the  deck.  At  the  same  moment  the 
captain's  list  performed  a  like  office  for  a  second ; 


250  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

and  the  crew  joining  in,  the  melee  for  a  time  be- 
came general. 

But  it  could  not  avail.  The  very  number  of  the 
assailants  soon  left  no  room  for  further  struggle. 
The  crew  were  overpowered,  but  the  bruises  of  the 
enemy  bore  evidence  of  a  dearly  purchased  triumph. 

Henry  was  found  amusing  himself  by  whittling 
on  a  stick,  with  a  formidable  looking  dirk-knife. 

"Are  you  not  kept  here  against  your  will,  my 
friend?"  abruptly  asked  the  spokesman  of  the 
crowd. 

"E~o!"  was  the  laconic  reply.  "Ileah's  jis  wah 
I  wants  to  be." 

"At  any  rate,  my  clear  sir,  we  have  come  to  libQ- 
rate  you,  to  take  you  from  the  hands  of  a  cruel 
master,  and  make  you  a  free  man ;  and  you  must 
prepare  to  accompany  us  without  delay." 

"I  don't  want  to  go  wid  you  ge'men ;  so  jis 
le'me  be." 

"0!  you  need  not  fear  your  master  now;  his 
power  over  you  is  gone,  and  we  will  protect  you. 
Then  come  along,  without  more  ado :  we  have  no 
time  to  lose." 

"No,  mastah's,  I'd  ruther  stay  heah." 

"We  well  know  it  is  only  dread  of  your  master 
that  leads  you  to  talk  and  act  thus,  but  you  need 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  251 

not  regard  him  as  any  obstacle  in  the  way  of  your 
freedom.  But  if  you  continue  to  hold  out  in  this 
way,  we  will  be  compelled  to  take  you  by  force. 
Think  better  of  the  matter,  and  consent  to  go  with 
your  best  friends." 

"  I  won't  go,  ge'men ;  and  it  mout  be  as  well  fur 
you  not  to  lay  hands  on  me,"  replied  he,  dropping 
the  stick  he  had  hitherto  held,  and  clutching  the 
knife  with  a  desperate  grip. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceeding,  the  guard  left  on 
deck  passed  word  to  their  comrades  below,  that  it 
would  be  as  well  to  hasten  operations,  or  they 
might  take  a  trip  oceanward. 

When  he  first  became  aware  of  the  presence  of 
his  visitors,  the  captain  had  given  orders  to  use  all 
possible  expedition  in  getting  under  way.  He  was 
fearful  he  should  not  be  able  to  contend  success- 
fully with  the  mob,  but  hoped  that  they  would  be 
so  disconcerted  at  finding  themselves  afloat,  and  cut 
off  from  assistance,  it  would  be  no  difficult  matter 
to  make  terms;  or,  having  the  advantage  of  weap- 
ons, the  crew  might  be  able  to  overpower  them 
when  cut  off  from  succor  on  shore.  In  the  latter 
case,  the  freebooters  would  learn  a  valuable 
lesson,  when  left  in  Galveston,  to  return  home  at 
leisure. 

The  arrival  of  the   reinforcements   cut   off  this 


252          THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  R. 

hope,  especially  when  he  saw  the  crowd  boldly  and 
with  impunity  defy  the  pistol;  but,  having  gone 
into  the  measure,  he  resolved  to  see  the  end  of  the 
experiment. 

This  new  danger  left  no  longer  time  for  debate 
with  the  negro,  and  it  was  at  once  decided  to  seize 
him  and  forcibly  carry  him  to  freedom.  But,  in  per- 
forming this  act,  the  foremost  received  a  dangerous, 
if  not  a  fatal  wound.  Further  resistance  was  impos- 
sible, and  his  new-found  friends  now  bore  off  Henry 
in  triumph,  together  with  his  profusely  bleeding 
and  shamefully  misused  friend. 

Arrived  on  deck,  the  prospect  was  truly  exciting. 
The  boarding  party  had  formed,  and  maintained  a 
communication  between  the  steamer  and  wharf; 
but  the  vessel,  beginning  to  feel  the  force  of  the 
stream,  was  slowly  receding  from  its  place.  There 
was  not  a  moment  to  be  lost,  and  the  rush  for  the 
shore  was  most  precipitate.  The  first  motion  only 
had  been  communicated  to  the  vessel ;  still  the  dis- 
tance between  her  and  the  shore  gradually  in- 
creased, as,  yielding  to  the  propelling  power,  the 
movement  became  sensible.  It  cannot  be  another 
moment  until  she  will  speed  away,  cutting  off  the 
communication  at  once.  All  knew  this,  and  acted 
accordingly.  The  greater  part  had  reached  the 
shore,  with  the  plank  still  crowded,  when  the  fear- 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  253 

ful  momentum  came,  and  all  who  were  in  mid-pas- 
sage were  precipitated  into  the  water. 

But  two  of  the  invaders  remained  on  board. 

"E"ow  go  to  the  bottom  for  me!"  exclaimed  Cap- 
tain Gilbert,  looking  complacently  on  the  strug- 
gling rabble.  But  there  was  no  fear  of  that:  help 
in  abundance  was  at  hand.  Then  addressing  those 
on  shore,  he  cried : 

"Those  comrades  of  yours  here  shall  take  that 
boy's  place." 

"All  right !"  was  the  exulting  response. 

Night  had  fairly  set  in ;  yet,  by  the  light  of  the 
moon,  the  movements  of  the  party  on  shore  could 
be  distinctly  seen  from  the  deck,  as,  under  a  head 
of  steam,  the  vessel  pressed  out  of  the  harbor. 

Some  were  vociferous  in  praise  of  their  late 
achievement,  and  in  demonstrations  of  joy  thereat; 
while  others  vainly  strove  to  reconcile  the  afflicted 
Henry.  The  wounded  man  was  at  once  conveyed 
to  his  home. 

Though  fully  under  way,  it  would  not  do  to  de- 
part without  an  attempt  by  the  planter  to  test  the 
power  of  the  law  for  the  restoration  of  his  property. 
Thus  the  plans  and  calculations  of  all  on  board 
were  thwarted,  and  a  much  regretted  delay  in- 
curred. 

The  captives  are  taken  into  custody ;  and,  while 


254  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

assisting  in  this  duty,  McMinime  interrogated 
them. 

"  This,  sirs,  is  a  pretty  business  you  have  been 
at;  what  think  you  now  of  yourselves?" 

"  Think  !  Why,  sir,  that  we  have  assisted  in  the 
performance  of  a  praiseworthy  act." 

"And  what  do  you  think  will  be  the  consequence 
to  yourselves  of  this  noble  deed  ?" 

"As  you  have  us  in  hand,  you  may  perhaps  take 
our  lives ;  and  it  is  presumable,  under  the  circum- 
stances, that  you  can  do  so  with  impunity.  But  it 
is  the  fortune  of  war,  and  we  can  only  submit." 

"You  misapprehend  me,  sir.  It  is  our  intention 
to  give  you  up  to  the  authorities  here." 

"Very  good!  "Well,  in  that  case,  we  will  go 
through  the  form  of  a  trial,  then  be  set  at  liberty 
to  receive  the  commendation  and  applause  of  all 
true  philanthropists.  I  say  perhaps  this  is  the  course 
matters  will  take ;  but  it  is  difficult  to  see  what 
charge  you  can  bring  against  us,  as  we  have  done 
nothing  that  any  man  in  New  York  will  consider  a 
crime.  As  it  is  wrong  for  you  to  enslave  your  fel- 
lows, it  is  right  for  us,  by  any  means,  to  free  the 
unfortunate." 

"  I  certainly  do  not  entertain  so  poor  an  opinion 
of  the  sense  of  justice  of  your  fellow-citizens,  as 
this." 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  255 

"What  charge  can  we  bring  against  you?  If 
nothing  more,  you  have  broken  the  peace,  and  com- 
mitted a  riot,  though  this  is  not  all.  But  as  you  re- 
gard the  matter  so  lightly,  I  presume  you  will  have 
no  objection  to  give  me  the  names  of  your  accom- 
plices." 

"None  in  the  world,  if  it  will  be  any  gratification 
to  you ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  they  will  be  ready  to 
answer  all  your  demands."  The  other  took  down 
the  names,  then  said  : 

"We  will  see  what  can  be  done  in  the  morn- 
ing." 

"  You  will  certainly  find  your  labor  in  vain ;  and 
I  am  really  surprised  at  the  folly  of  any  one  who 
can  expect  the  laws  of  this  free  State  seriously  to 
interfere  with  its  citizens  for  any  thing  growing  out 
of  an  effort  to  liberate  the  suffering  and  unfortu- 
nate." 

"We  will  see  more  about  this  hereafter;"  and 
they  were  left  to  their  own  reflections  and  commu- 
nion. 

It  is,  perhaps,  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  the 
application  to  the  authorities  for  aid  or  redress  was 
altogether  fruitless.  This  was  not  all ;  but  unmis- 
takable evidences  of  a  brewing  storm  induced  Cap- 
tain Gilbert  to  hasten  his  departure  from  the  city  of 
New  York.  Nor  was  the  movement  by  any  means 


256  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

premature :  for  by  so  doing,  he  barely  escaped  the 
serving  of  warrants  on  himself,  as  well  as  his  unfor- 
tunate passenger,  on  various  charges,  among  wrhich 
was  assault,  and  probable  murder. 

The  result  of  the  pistol-shots  on  the  crowd  was 
matter  of  astonishment  to  the  two  gentlemen  en- 
gaged in  the  defence ;  the  mystery  was  explained, 
however,  or  perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  say,  ren- 
dered more  mysterious,  when  an  examination  of  the 
barrels  yet  undischarged  revealed  the  fact  that  they 
were  without  balls. 

"  What  a  stupid  mistake  !  Who  before  ever 
heard  of  such  an  egregious  blunder  !•  to  put  in  a 
charge  all  around,  and  not  one  bullet!"  were  the 
vexatious  exclamations  of  McMinime,  on  making 
the  discovery. 

How  much  he  had  admired  the  heroism  of  his 
enemies  in  so  unwaveringly  advancing  almost  to  the 
very  muzzle  of  the  death-dealing  instrument !  Yet, 
how  little  occasion  was  there  in  reality  for  fear,  had 
they  known  how  matters  stood !  Yet  in  their  igno- 
rance, they  were  undoubtedly  heroes. 

When  Henry  found  himself  on  land,  so  much 
against  his  wishes,  and  the  vessel  in  which  he  had 
hoped  to  be  conveyed  to  his  home,  fast  separating 
from  him,  he  was  almost  frantic.  It  was  to  no  pur- 
pose that  his  liberators  strove  to  soothe  him  by  a 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  257 

glowing  description  of  the  happiness  in  store  for 
him. 

"  0,  mastah  !  le'  me  go  home  !  I  don't  care  nuf  'n 
'bout  all  dese  tings  ;  I  jis  wants  to  git  back  home." 

"  Why,  here  is  your  home  :  here  alone  you  can 
enjoy  freedom,  without  which  no  place  can  be  called 
home." 

"I  don't  want  no  freedom,  I  tell  you  again  ;  I  jis 
wants  to  git  back  home  onst  more." 

"You  have  no  home  but  here.  So,  just  reflect; 
sir,  on  the  advantages  you  will  hereafter  enjoy,  and 
do  not  be  so  unreasonable  as  to  desire  your  former 
state  of  galling  bondage  -  " 


"  Yes,  I  haSj.cfow/A,"  answered  he,  paying  no  re- 
gard to  the  latter  part  of  the  sentence,  and  not  caring 
to  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  speech;  "yes,  I  has 
got  a  home,  an'  a  good  one,  too,  an'  a  wife  an'  chile 
dar  besides.  0  !  don't  sep'rate  us  dis  way  ;  le'  me 
go  back  home  wid  Mas  Tom." 

"  If  we  did  not  separate  you,  your  master  would 
soon  do  so  ;  for,  no  doubt,  you  have  lived  together 
pretty  nearly  as  long  as  they  ever  permit.  It  might 
be,  that  -  " 

"  'T  is  no  sich  a  thins*.     You  'as  neber  dah,  an' 

O  7 

dunno  nuf'n  'bout  it,"  again  interrupted  the  negro, 
irritated,  and  rather  disposed  to  make  use  of  the 

liberty  accorded  him  by  his  new  friends. 
9 


258  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE- DEALER. 

"  "No,  I  have  never  been  there ;  but  I  have  heard 
and  read  enough  to  satisfy  me  in  regard  to  the 
thing." 

"All  great  lies,  dough,"  answered  the  boy,  yet 
somewhat  hesitatingly,  as  apprehensive  he  had  gone 
too  far,  even  with  those  who  seemed  to  think  so 
much  of  him. 

"  "Well,  well,  we  will  not  quarrel  about  that.  You 
must,  at  least,  acknowledge  there  is  a  probability  of 
your  being  separated  from  your  wife,  were  you  to 
return.  Therefore " 

"  You  's  afeard  somebody  '11  commit  a  sin ;  an'  to 
save  him  from  sum/  'n  dat  mout  be,  you  '11  take  de 
'sponsibility  on  youselves,  shoah  !  But  I  don't  'know- 
ledge no  sich  ting.  I'd  neber  be  parted  from  her 
'thout  one  of  us  'as  to  die,  or  sumf 'n  oncommon 
happen ;  and  you,  even,  may  be  parted  from  your 
wife,  as  much  as  me." 

"As  for  the  responsibility,  we  are  more  than  will- 
ing to  assume  it;  in  regard  to  the  other  matter, 
you  are  very  much  in  error ;  yet,  we  can  lose  no 
more  time  in  the  effort  to  convince  you.  Come,  we 
must  be  off.  In  the  meantime,  do  not  doubt  but 
that  you  will  soon  have  reason  to  forget  all  about 
your  old  home,  and  even  your  wife  ;  as  you  will  be 
able  to  select  one  better  suited  to  your  condition  in 
life.  Why,  man,  you  need  entertain  no  fears  if  you 


TIIE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  259 

desire  such  a  thing,  of  being  able,  with  your  fine 
form  and  intelligent  face,  to  secure  the  affections  of 
a  lady  as  fair  as  any  you  have  ever  called  i  mistress.' 
What  is  there  to  prevent?" 

"Well,  ef  you  will  take  me  'way,  I 'd  like  to  see 
Mas  Justus,  dat  corne  in  de  boat  wid  us." 

"  Yes,  we  will  conduct  you  to  him,  and  he  will 
take  you  under  his  own  charge  till  you  become  ac- 
quainted with  your  new  mode  of  life.  But  do  quit 
that  'Mas  Justus.'" 

Finding  further  resistance  idle,  Henry  accom- 
panied them  without  more  words,  hoping,  through 
the  kind  assistance  of  Justus,  he  might  be  enabled 
to  see  his  home  again 

Two  of  the  liberators,  lingering  behind  their  com- 
rades, thus  gave  expression  to  their  feelings : 

"For  my  part,  George,  I  do  not  find  myself  so 
well  satisfied  with  this  evening's  proceedings  as  I 
had  expected." 

"  You  don't !  Why,  what  is  the  matter  ?  I  was 
never  better  pleased  in  all  my  life." 

"  The  thought  has  more  than  once  before  to-day 
crossed  my  mind,  that  perhaps  we  did  not  fully  un- 
derstand what  we  were  doing  in  our  deadly  opposi- 
tion to  slavery ;  but  now  I  am  more  than  half  con- 
vinced of  it.  Here  is  this  poor  fellow,  whom,  I  have 
no  doubt,  we  found  a  happier  person  than  he  ever 


260  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER. 

will  be  again.  "What,  suppose  you,  are  his  sensa- 
tions, and  what  will  be  those  of  his  poor  expectant 
wife  when  informed  of  his  fate  ?  And  on  the  other 
hand,  what  have  we  gained  in  the  way  of  a  citizen  ? 
How  much  better  qualified  is  he  to  benefit  the  world, 
or  himself,  here,  than  on  his  master's  plantation?" 

"As  for  his  qualifications,  he  will  learn  very 
readily  in  the  school  of  experience.  But  you  surely 
do  not  believe  he  was  happier  as  a  slave  than  here 
as  a  free  man  ?  I  must  confess  I  do  pity  his  wife ; 
still,  the  probability  is,  we  have  only  hastened  what 
wrould  sooner  or  later  have  taken  place.  It  is  true, 
his  appearance  shows  he  has  an  indulgent  master ; 
but  how  suddenly  and  how  fearfully  do  their  circum- 
stances change  !  For  a  ready  illustration,  just  think 
of  the  case  of  poor  '  Uncle  Tom !'  From  this  you 
see  how  uncertain  is  their  condition,  even  at  the 
best." 

"  I  consider  this  4  case'  as  a  very  highly  wrought 
picture  of  what  might  possibly  occur ;  but  I  must 
confess  I  really  feel  a  degree  of  shame  to  hear  one 
who  pretends  to  be  candid,  advancing  as  an  argu- 
ment against  slavery,  what  may  with  equal  pro- 
priety be  urged  against  almost  every  thing.'" 

"I  cannot  say  that  I  altogether  comprehend 
you." 

"You  do  not?    I  will  endeavor  to  enlighten  you. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  261 

You,  as  well  as  myself— and  thousands  besides — 
are  a  poor  mechanic,  barely  able  to  support,  in  de- 
cency and  competency,  your  fond  wife  and  dear 
children.  Now,  sir,  you  well  know  you  are  liable 
to  be  disabled  by  sickness  or  casualties,  or  even  to 
be  removed  by  death ;  and  in  such  an  event,  what 
would  be  their  fate  ?" 

"Well,  you  certainly  are  a .  I  was  on  the 

point,  Tom,  of  making  use  of  a  rough  expression ; 
but,  to  say  the  least,  there  is  not  the  shadow  of 
analogy  between  the  two  cases  ;  and  it  is  sheer  non- 
sense for  you  to  talk  in  this  manner.  My  wife  and 
children  would  not  be  sold  under  the  hammer  to 
the  highest  bidder,  and  thus  become  for  ever  sepa- 
rated from  each  other." 

"  There  is  a  closer  analogy  than  you  seem  to  bo 
aware  of;  for  it  would  almost  be  a  necessity  of  the 
established  order  of  things,  that  they  should  be 
separated  in  one  way  or  another,  and  that,  too,  per- 
haps, under  circumstances  far  more  painful  than  in 
the  case  of  the  slave.  For  I  am  satisfied  that,  in 
the  latter  case,  there  are  always  circumstances  cal- 
culated to  moderate  the  sorrow  of  the  breaking  up. 
And  though  the  servant  may  be  called  upon  to  part 
with  those  who  are  dear,  it  is,  in  all  probability, 
to  follow  one  scarcely  less  dear — one  who  has  been 
to  him  almost  as  a  child,  or  with  whom  he  has  been 


262  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

raised  as  a  brother.  My  brother,  you  know,  lives 
in  a  slave  State,  and  is  himself  the  owner  of  slaves ; 
it  is  from  him  I  learn  these  things,  and  he  assures 
me  he  has  known  the  case  of  an  old  servant  choos- 
ing rather  to  follow  her  mistress  than  remain  with 
her  children.  He  says  it  may  be  the  case,  at  times, 
that  some  are  separated  under  other  circumstances, 
but  not  often;  and  I  say,  were  the  probabilities  of 
such  a  thing  universal,  it  is  nothing  more  than  may 
happen  to  our  own  families. 

"In  the  contingency  under  consideration,  it  is 
true,  your  wife  and  children  run  no  risk  of  being 
sold  ;  yet,  might  it  not  be  much  better  for  them  to 
find  themselves  thus  in  the  hands  of  a  kind  protector  ? 
Divest  the  thing  of  its  name,  and  what  better  fate 
can  a  poor  widow  or  helpless  orphan  desire,  than  to 
have  some  one  to  whom  they  can  look  up  for  sup- 
port in  any  extremity." 

"They  can  desire  to  loefree — free  from  the  domi- 
nation of  any  one — free  to  labor  for  their  own  sup- 
port!" 

"  Free,  indeed,  to  labor ! — to  labor  beyond  the 
power  of  endurance  for  a  pittance  to  support  a 
cheerless,  joyless  existence:  to  spend  the  over- 
tasked powers  of  their  youthful  days,  in  toiling  for 
one  whose  only  object  is  to  make  the  most  use  of 
the  poor  apprentice,  and  then  cast  him  out  on  the 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  263 

world,  without  having  acquired  one  useful  lesson 
for  direction  in  life,  save  what  his  bitter  experience 
must  of  necessity  bring. 

"Or,  better  still,  they  can  be  free  to  go  to  the 
street — to  filth  and  to  degradation. 

"Do  you  observe  those  objects  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  street?" 

"To  be  sure  I  do." 

"  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  inform  me  what  they 
are?" 

"What  ails  you  this  evening,  man?  Can  you 
not  see  they  are  children  ?  or  are  you  merely  trying 
me?" 

"How  do  you  know  they  are  children,  George  ?" 

"Do  you  suppose  I  have  no  eyes,  Tom?  I  see 
they  are." 

"But  what  I  mean  is  this :  were  you  going  to 
prove  those  objects  before  us  to  belong  to  the 
human  race,  to  what  distinctive  feature  in  them 
marking  the  genus ,  would  you  refer  ?" 

"I  do  not  know  how  to  answer  such  a  question, 
except  by  saying,  I  know  they  belong  to  that  class : 
every  thing  shows  it." 

"If  you  answer,  Every  thing  shows  them  to  be 
human  beings,  you  have  surely  never  observed  them 
closely.  Let  us  cross  over  and  make  an  inspec- 
tion." 


264  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER. 

"No,  thank  you!  I  do  not  wish  to  do  so.  I 
have  seen  many  such  sights,  and  enough  of  them, 
too.  Yet,  I  am  very  well  satisfied  with  my  an- 
swer." 

"  Still,  let  me  give  you  a  better.  It  is  form  and 
speech  alone,  at  least,  so  far  as  the  eye  and  ear  can 
aid  us  in  determining.  The  rags  with  which  they 
are  covered,  the  filth  and  vermin  with  which  they 
abound,  the  wretched  abodes  to  which  they  are  re- 
turning after  a  day,  perhaps,  of  beggary  and  crime, 
and,  above  all,  the  marks  of  hardened  guilt  stamped 
on  their  young  brows,  might  proclaim  them  as  be- 
longing to  another  race.  And  yet,  these  may  once 
have  been  as  yours — possibly  yours  may  yet  be  like 
these." 

"I  know  strange  revolutions  do  sometimes  take 
place,  and  it  is  within  the  range  of  possibility  that 
even  this  you  speak  of  may  happen,  but  which  may 
God  forbid !  Yet.  I  cannot  clearly  see  the  point  to 
which  your  argument  tends." 

"You  mistake  entirely,  my  dear  sir;  I  am  not 
arguing,  but  simply  trying  to  give  you  another 
specimen  of  your  own  logic.  Indeed,  I  do  not 
know  to  what  conclusion  a  man  could  not  bring 
himself,  by  such  reasoning  as  you  have  just  em- 
ployed, and  as  others  use.  If  applied  to  the  common 
affairs  of  life,  the  practical  result  on  the  state  of  the 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  265 

world,  if  universally  followed,  might  not  be  easily 
imagined." 

"  I  begin  to  see  what  you  are  aiming  at ;  but  you 
are  only  in  a  dull  mood,  and  wish  to  show  your 
skill  in  argument,  by  taking  the  part  of  slavery." 

"Not  I ;  instead  of  taking  the  part  of  slavery,  I 
was  only  contending  that  we  should  leave  it  to  those 
who  have  the  management  of  it,  while  we  look  after 
our  own  affairs." 

"  "Well,  I  thank  my  Maker  I  have  public  spirit 
enough  to  attend  to  my  own  affairs,  and  yet  give  a 
passing  thought  to  the  wrongs  of  others,  or  to  act  in 
their  behalf  if  necessary." 

"  It  seems  you  are  determined  not  to  take  my 
meaning  rightly.  If  the  master  of  this  negro  in- 
herited, and  could  not  consistently  with  the  laws  of 
the  State,  or  the  benefit  of  his  social  and  moral  po- 
sition, liberate  him,  did  he  commit  sin  by  retaining 
and  treating  him  kindly  ?" 

"  Perhaps  not ;  at  least  I  will  not  assert  he  did." 

"  Had  he  failed,  or  died,  and  the  family  of  his 
servants  been  scattered,  would  any  one  have  been 
to  blame?  If  so,  on  whom  should  censure  rest?" 

"  The  man — no — the  system." 

"  Were  you  to  die,  leaving  your  wife  and  children 
unprovided  for,  or  become  so  reduced  that  the  latter 
should  become  like  those  we  have  just  passed,  and 


266  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

the  former  like  we  may  suppose  their  mothers  are, 
where  would  the  blame  rest — on  the  man,  or  the 
system?" 

The  other,  turning  short  around,  looked  him  full 
in  the  face  for  a  moment  without  speaking ;  then 
said  : 

,  "  Tom  !  for  what  in  the  name  of  Heaven  did  you 
ever  marry  ?  Entertaining  such  notions  as  these,  I 
would  no  sooner  have  done  it  than  I  would  own 
slaves." 

"  'Nor  I  either  !  I  should  think  myself  the  worst 
of  men,  if,  condemning  slavery  on  this  ground,  I 
had  entered  into  the  other  relation.  For  I  consider 
the  two  institutions  in  that  respect  similar.  And 
in  a  slighter  degree,  as  the  consequences  involved 
are  not  so  vast,  the  same  objection  may  be  made 
against  every  pursuit  in  life." 

"  One  thing,  my  dearJriend,  you  seern  to  forget: 
marriage  is  an  institution  of  the  Almighty,  and  in 
regard  to  it  we  are  under  Divine  command." 

"  You  remind  me  now  to  make  an  explanation  I 
had  before  forgotten.  If  slavery  be,  as  its  advo- 
cates claim,  an  institution  of  Heaven — I  say  nothing 
on  that  point — those  practicing  it  are  no  more  re- 
sponsible for  any  evil  growing  out  of  it,  than  are 
we  for  the  evils  sometimes  resulting  from  marriage, 
and  other  institutions  of  Divine  appointment.  And 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  267 

to  say  that  evil  may,  or  even  does  grow  out  of  a  sys- 
tem, is  DO  disproof  of  its  rectitude ;  otherwise,  all 
parents  whose  children  are  thus  left  to  suffer,  are 
highly  reprehensible  for  the  connection  in  life  that 
gave  them  being." 

"  Come,  come,  let  us  hurry  on ;  our  comrades 
have  already  left  us  out  of  sight ;  and  I  fear  we  will 
yet  lose  the  sport." 

"  I  believe,  George,  I  will  turn  down  the  street 
here,  and  go  home.  I  have  seen  sport  enough  for 
one  night.  Hark,  how  they  shout !" 

Taking  leave  of  his  friends,  he  thoughtfully  turned 
himself  homewards,  and  was  soon  by  his  own  quiet 
fireside. 


268  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE   NEWLY-MADE   FREEMAN. 

"Woe  unto  you,  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  ye  com- 
pass sea  and  land  to  make  one  proselyte;  and  when  he  is  made,  ye 
make  him  twofold  more  the  child  of  hell  than  yourselves.7' 

DURING  the  late  transaction,  Justus  was  quietly 
employed  at  his  lodgings,  in  preparations  for  an  im- 
mediate departure.  His  arrangements  were  com- 
pleted, and,  hastily  pacing  the  floor  of  his  apartment, 
he  manifested  a  spirit  of  uncontrollable  impatience. 

He  heard  the  exulting  shout  of  a  crowd  approach- 
ing, and  was  quickly  on  the  pavement. 

To  these  visitors,  in  part,  the  reader  has  been 
already  introduced  on  board  the  steamer;  but  the 
number  had  been  augmented  during  the  passage 
through  the  streets ;  and  now,  a  small  army,  they 
moved  on  vociferously,  with  Henry  borne  in  triumph 
at  their  head.  The  occasional  potations  freely  in- 
dulged in  by  the  way,  enlivened  the  wits  of  the 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  269 

abolitionists,  and  heightened  the  grandeur  of  the 
imposing  scene  they  so  cheerfully  enacted. 

Enthusiastic  cheers,  self-laudations,  bacchanalian 
efforts  at  wit,  and  most  boisterous  merriment,  gen- 
erally, were  strangely  commingled. 

"  How  I  do  wish  I  could  get  my  hands  on  that 
fellow  who  is  so  ready  to  use  his  pop-gun  of  a  pis- 
tol on  all  occasions  ;  would  'nt  I  give  him ;  he 

liked  to  have  powder-burnt  the  side  of  my  face  off, 
the  slave-holding  wretch !  He  would  have  been 
glad  to  send  a  few  of  us  out  of  the  world  anyhow. 
But  was  'nt  that  beautifully  done  ?  Ah!  we  're  the 
boys  that  know  how  to  do  such  things  !" 

What  more  this  particular  member  of  the  assem- 
bly might  have  uttered,  cannot  be  told ;  his  voice 
was  drowned  in  the  sound  of  loud  and  prolonged 
cheers  for  liberty,  New  York,  etc.,  together  with 
denunciations  of  slavery  and  the  South;  and  he 
vociferously  joined  in  the  chorus. 

Another,  who  had  imbibed  rather  more  freely  than 
the  former  speaker,  as  evidenced  by  his  frequent 
hiccoughing,  took  up  the  strain  : 

"  Hang  me — hie — if  I  know  now,  what  I  am  mak- 
ing such  a  fuss  over  that  black  scoundrel  for !  Won- 
der— hie — if  he  did  'nt  knock  me  down  !  What  a 
lick — hie — he  did  hit!  Got  a  great  mind  to  go  and 
— hie — stamp  him  under  the  face  of  the  earth  for  it, 


270  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

now.  But  we  taught  'em — hie — a  thing  or  two. 
Hurrah  for  our  side  !  Down  with  the — hie — slave- 
holders !" 

In  a  manner  of  which  the  foregoing  is  but  a  faint 
likeness,  the  crowd  proceeded  to  Justus's  hotel, 
where  Henry  was  in  due  form  committed  to  the 
guardianship  of  that  worthy,  till  such  time  as  he 
should  be  properly  able  to  defend  and  provide  for 
himself. 

The  abolitionist  and  his  negro  companion  at  once 
left  the  city,  and,  while  the  sleeping  master  was 
dreaming,  perhaps,  of  the  recovery  of  his  stolen 
property,  and  the  punishment  of  the  abductors,  by 
the  aid  of  law,  that  servant  was  reluctantly  putting 
distance  between  himself  and  owner,  as  fast  as  re- 
lays of  horses  could  accomplish  that  end. 

Justus  was  once  more  among  the  associates  of  his 
earlier  years,  and  was  welcomed  by  his  friends  with 
a  heartiness  he  had  not  expected.  But  the  fame  of 
recent  events,  together  with  the  part  now  performed 
toward  the  lately  liberated  slave,  had  removed  from 
their  minds  the  unfavorable  impressions  formed  by 
his  correspondence  from  Texas. 

The  dignified  composure  and  silent  gravity  with 
which  he  received  their  adulations  as  well  as  apolo- 
gies, were  interpreted  by  them  as  a  noble  and  self- 
satisfied  assurance  of  the  rectitude  of  his  past 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  271 

course,  and  a  gratification  at  the  result — too  deep 
to  find  expression  in  any-  shallow  demonstration. 
."Whereas,  Justus  was,  in  reality,  conscious  of  a 
change  of  views  more  material  than  that  for  which 
he  had  been  discarded  by  them  ;  and  though  it  did 
not  suit  his  present  purpose  to  proclaim  this,  he  was 
equally  averse  to  make  any  display  of  feeling  on  the 
opposite  side. 

He  now  found  himself  an  undoubted  lion — a 
bright  star  in  the  zenith  of  a  Boston  firmament, 
though  his  light  was  somewhat  paled  by  that  of  the 
negro,  who  shone  with  successful  rivalry  in  the 
same  orbit. 

But  it  was  not  deemed  sufficient  for  him  to  re- 
ceive the  private  greetings  of  his  friends  alone ;  a 
public  meeting  must  be  called,  both  as  a  compli- 
ment to  the  man  who  had  achieved  so  much  in  the 
cause  of  humanity,  and  to  collect  a  fund  for  the 
present  relief  of  the  now  happified,  but  still  needy 
object  of  his  benevolent  labors. 

Old  Faneuil  was  crowded :  complimentary  speeches 
were  made  and  applauded ;  a  great  many  witty  things, 
or  those,  at  least,  designed  for  such,  were  uttered 
and  cheered,  the  blessings  of  freedom  proclaimed 
and  extolled,  and  the  evils  of  slavery  denounced ; 
all  with  so  much  spirit  and  energy,  that  the  genii 
of  that  sacred  locality  might  well  have  wondered 


272  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

what  new  commotion  had  excited  the  citizens ; 
whether  another  "  stamp-act"  were  about  to  be  en- 
forced, or  a  fleet  of  tea-ships  to  discharge  their  ob- 
noxious freight  at  the  peaceful  wharves. 

The  assembly  was  called  on  to  contribute  to  the 
necessities  of  their  friend,  who  having,  until  quite 
recently,  been  under  the  control  of  a  hard-hearted 
master,  and  thus  kept  from  acquiring  that  char- 
acter of  education  needed  for  supplying  himself  in 
his  new  condition,  must  be  aided  by  others  until 
subsequent  experience  might  enable  him  to  over- 
come the  disqualification.  As  the  result  of  this 
measure,  Henry  found  himself  in  possession  of  more 
ready  cash,  probably,  than  he  had  ever  before 
owned  at  any  one  time ;  obtained,  too,  in  a  manner 
less  calculated  to  teach  him  its  true  value,  than  any 
of  his  former  acquisitions.  Indeed,  so  far  as  his  in- 
terest was  concerned,  the  money  had  better  been 
thrown  away,  though,  should  the  reader  doubt  the 
correctness  of  our  judgment,  we  leave  him  to  the 
peaceful  enjoyment  of  his  own  opinion. 

Justus  was  then  called  out;  whereupon  he  gave 
a  detailed  account  of  his  experience  and  observa- 
tion in  the  South,  which  was  received  with  hearty 
applause.  "When  the  greeting  subsided,  it  was 
asked — a  little  hesitatingly,  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged, as  if  the  querist  himself  felt  the  absurdity 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  273 

of  the  call — if  Mr.  Clay  had  riot  something  to  say 
for  their  entertainment ;  and  the  welkin  rung  with, 

"Mr.  Clay!     Mr.  Clay!" 

Lest  the  reader  should  be  in  doubt  as  to  the  iden- 
tity of  Mr.  Clay,  it  may  be  stated,  he  is  neither 
more  nor  less  than  our  Henry,  formerly  of  Friend 
McMinime's  cotton-farm,  to  whose  previous  name 
his  late  associates  had  appended  that  of  the  illus- 
trious statesman. 

Mr.  Clay  had  been  made  aware  that  such,  in  fu- 
ture, was  to  be  his  style  of  address,  and  was  at  no 
slight  loss  to  know  why  his  name  was  so  often  pro- 
nounced, or,  in  his  own  language, 

"What  dey  holleriri  at  me  so  'bout?" 

"Your  friends  wish  you  to  speak  to  them,"  whis- 
pered Justus. 

"What  I  gwine  to  say  to  'urn  ?" 

"  Tell  them  you  are  unprepared  ;  that  you  have 
not  been  used  to  public  speaking ;  but  thank  them 
for  their  kindness." 

Thus  urged,  and  thinking  himself  competent  to 
this  slight  task,  he  arose  with  much  gravity,  as 
another  call  for  Mr.  Clay  resounded  through  the 
hall.  But,  as  he  looked  over  the  vast  assembly,  his 
head  grew  dizzy,  and  not  one  word  of  what  had 
been  said  to  him  could  he  call  to  mind.  For  a  mo- 
ment he  stood  trembling  and  stammering ;  but  he 


274  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

could  support  himself  no  longer;  and,  rather  gasp- 
ing out  than  speaking  plainly : 

"I's  forgot,  mastahs,"  sunk  into  his  seat. 

After  a  brief  consultation  with  his  ward,  Justus 
made  to  the  auditory  the  explanations  deemed  re- 
quisite, trusting  they  would  receive  them  as  coming 
directly  from  his  friend,  by  whose  authority  he 
spoke,  and  whose  extreme  modesty  had  prevented 
his  making  them  in  person. 

This  eclaircissement  seemed  to  give  general  satis- 
faction, and  to  be  withal  highly  edifying.  And 
then,  more  deeply  in  love  with  themselves  and  the 
world  in  general — save  the  slaveholders  of  their  own 
country — the  meeting  adjourned. 

The  circumstances  of  Henry's  situation,  so  dif- 
ferent from  any  thing  he  had  ever  known  pre- 
viously, soon  wrought  a  corresponding  change  in 
his  conduct  and  disposition,  verifying,  truthfully, 
the  spirit  of  the  adage,  "Put  a  beggar  on  horse- 
back," etc.  While  simple  Henry,  on  his  master's 
plantation,  he  knew  his  place,  and  acted  well  in  it ; 
but  having  been  forced  into  a  sphere  above  his 
own,  and  for  which  he  had  received  no  prior  fit- 
ting, this  good  report  was  no  longer  his  due. 
Being  treated  as  a  peer  by  those  whom  he  had 
been  wont  to  consider  his  superiors,  and  having  a 
deference  shown  to  his  opinions,  it  is  not  to  be 


THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  275 

wondered  at  that  his  arrogance  was  a  source  of  an- 
noyance even  to  his  Boston  friends.  There  was  a 
very  rational  cause  for  this  disposition,  manifesting 
itself  at  an  early  day;  and,  but  for  this,  he  might, 
in  all  probability,  have  conducted  himself  diifer- 
ently.  He  had  no  respect  for  those  who  were  so 
officious  in  his  behalf,  and  would  have  been  glad 
at  any  time  to  have  returned  to  his  former  state. 

The  negro  had,  very  early  in  life,  acquired  a  de- 
cided partiality  for  intoxicating  drinks,  and  in  his 
primal  condition,  in  Texas,  used  to  say  : 

"  De  only  thing  Mas  Tom  eber  got  mad  wid  me 
'bout,  was  gittin'  drunk.  But  I  could' nt  help  it. 
Jis  'peared  like  I  had  to  do  it,  when  I  got  sich  a 
good  chance.  Dough  ole  mastah  don't  gib  me 
many  sich  chances  since  dat  time." 

As  Mr.  Clay,  in  the  midst  of  temptation,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  he  still  indulged  the  old  propensity. 

It  was  but  a  few  days  after  the  meeting  already 
spoken  of,  that  Mr.  Clay,  attended  by  a  few  choice 
spirits,  found  himself  in  one  of  the  establishments 
where  his  favorite  beverage  was  dealt  out.  A  few 
libations  made  them  quite  merry,  and  Mr.  Clay's 
liberality  was  duly  extolled,  and  his  treat  heartily 
enjoyed. 

The  revel  held  its  high  round,  amid  a  boisterous 
flow  of  jollity,  but  the  negro's  powers  of  endurance 


276  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

soon  gave  way,  and  he  early  sank  into  oblivious- 


& 
ness. 


When  Mr.  Clay  recovered  from  his  debauch,  he 
was  a  bankrupt.  Of  the  donation  of  his  kind  friends 
he  possesed  not  one  cent.  How  it  had  gone,  whe- 
ther consumed  in  the  jollification,  or  abstracted  by 
some  of  his  boon  companions,  his  confused  recol- 
lection could  not  tell. 

As  a  natural  consequence,  the  negro  was  ashamed 
of  the  part  he  had  acted  in  thus  abusing  the  confi- 
dence of  his  friends.  In  his  reflections  on  their  ex- 
pected comments  upon  the  affair,  he  could  not  avoid 
associating  therewith  the  reproofs  bestowed  by  his 
master  for  a  like  offence ;  and  the  most  important 
consideration  was  to  prevent  the  fact  being  known 
that  he  had  lost  all  his  money  in  a  drunken  frolic. 
The  only  course  open  to  his  mind,  to  secure  this 
end,  was  to  accuse  one  of  his  party  of  theft.  As 
their  mutual  friends  sided  with  the  negro,  nothing 
but  the  absence  of  testimony  prevented  an  appeal  to 
legal  redress.  Thus  encouraged,  he  grew  more  in- 
solent than  before,  and  was  quite  loud  in  complaint 
of  his  wrongs. 

The  object  of  his  accusation  was  now  systematic- 
ally persecuted  by  the  negro,  till,  pressed  beyond  en- 
durance, hostilities  were  regularly  proclaimed.  For 
a  time,  Henry  avoided  him,  save  when  in  the  com- 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  277 

pany  of  friends ;  but  at  last  they  met  in  an  unfre- 
queu/ed  alley,  both  the  worse  for  liquor. 

"I've  got  you  now,  you  villainous  blackamoor," 
was  the  courteous  salutation  of  Mr.  Clay's  anta- 
gonist. 

"And  I  'so  got  you,  too,  you  infernal  white  trash," 
said  the  negro,  whose  vocabulary  had  been  consider- 
ably extended  by  his  new  associations.  "  You  wants 
to  steal  more  money,  dus  ye?" 

A  blow  from  a  heavy  bludgeon  ended  the  alter- 
cation, and  brought  the  negro  to  the  ground.  This 
coup  d'e-tat  was  followed  up  by  a  succession  of  well- 
directed  strokes,  despite  the  piteous  supplication  of 
the  prostrate  and  now-subdued  Henry. 

"  I  '11  teach  you  to  lie,  you  vile  slave  !  I  '11  break 

every  bone  in  your  body,  and  pummel  your 

carcass  to  a  jelly." 

"  For  de  Laud  o'  massy  sakes,  please  stop,  mas- 
tah  ;  don't  kill  me  !  I  won't  tell  no  more  lies  !" 

"You've  lived  too  long  already,  you  drunken 
vagabond !  Die,  and  make  room  for  a  better  man  !" 

The  vengeful  tone  and  furious  manner  accom- 
panying this  sentence,  now  fully  disclosed  to  Henry 
his  assailant's  murderous  intention.  Still  clinging 
to  life,  he  felt  the  instinct  of  self-preservation  rising 
superior  to  fear,  and  though  almost  disabled  and 


278  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

insensible,  he  made  one  fierce  effort  at  defence,  then 
swooned  away. 

They  were  found,  the  negro  half  dead,  and  still 
insensible,  the  other,  a  corpse.  Deeply  buried  in 
the  dead  body,  was  a  knife  usually  worn  in  Henry's 
belt,  which  in  the  ferocity  of  despair  had  been 
plunged  to  the  heart  of  his  foe. 

As  there  were  no  witnesses,  nothing  could  be 
gathered  in  regard  to  the  rencounter,  save  what  the 
condition  of  the  parties  showed.  The  presence  of 
the  club,  however,  and  the  battered  and  insensible 
state  of  the  African,  seemed  to  indicate  that  the 
fearful  act  had  been  committed  in  self-defence. 

The  coroner's  verdict  was,  that  "  George  Thomp- 
son came  to  his  death  from  a  stab  with  a  knife,  in 
the  hand  of  Henry  Clay,  a  colored  man.' 

Painful  weeks  passed  before  the  victim  of  bene- 
volence was  fully  restored  to  soundness ;  but,  by  the 
management  of  his  friends,  he  was  subjected  to  no 
further  inconvenience.  His  condition,  however, 
was  truly  pitiable.  An  alien  from  home  and  all  he 
loved,  forced  to  provide  for  himself  by  means  to 
which  he  had  never  been  accustomed ;  and  daily 
sinking  into  a  state  of  degradation  from  dissipation, 
and  the  want  of  knowledge  and  capacity  to  fill  the 
false  position  assigned  him  ;  and,  more  than  all  this, 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  279 

remorse  for  the  fatal  circumstances  leading  to  the 
deed  of  death,  continually  preyed  upon  him. 

In  the  belief  that  it  would  have  a  tendency  to  re- 
lieve his  mind,  at  least  in  a  degree,  a  return  to  Texas 
was  more  than  ever  desired ;  and  yet  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  end  all  his  efforts  were  ineffec- 
tual. But,  in  this  exigence,  Justus  came  to  the  res- 
cue. The  latter  was  himself  preparing  to  return  to 
his  adopted  State,  and  had  been  meditating,  as  he 
informed  Henry,  how  he  might  be  able  to  restore 
him  to  his  friends. 

"  0  !  Mas  Justus,  ef  you  jes  do  dat,  I  '11  lub  you 
long  's  I  libs  in  dis  worV ;  an'  I  know  Mas  Tom  '11 
pay  you  mighty  well,  besides.  An'  0  !  how  Cindy  'II 
bress  you !" 

It  was  at  once  determined  that  both  should  make 
arrangements  for  a  speedy  departure  ;  and  to  keep 
down  suspicion,  and  prevent  interference  writh  the 
plan,  Baltimore  was  selected  as  the  point  of  de- 
parture. Thither  Henry  repaired,  furnished  with 
ample  means  by  Justus,  who  soon  rejoined  him, 
when,  as  servant  and  master,  they  found  themselves 
on  the  passage  back  to  the  land  of  their  hopes  and 
wishes. 


280  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

AN     EPISODE. 

"See  yonder  poor,  o'erlabored  wight, 
So  abject,  mean,  and  vile, 
Who  begs  a  brother  of  the  earth 
To  give  him  leave  to  toil! 
And  see  his  lor dly  felloiv- worm 
The  poor  petition  spurn, 
Unmindful  though  a  weeping  wife 
And  helpless  offspring  mourn." 

WHILE  in  Boston,  Justus  spent  much  of  his  time 
with  a  distant  relative,  who  had  been  brought  up  at 
the  South ;  but,  from  some  cause  or  other,  had 
chosen  his  residence  in  the  North.  This  choice  his 
friends  had  attributed  to  a  spell  thrown  upon  him 
during  a  college  vacation,  spent  there  at  the  solicita- 
tion of  a  chum.  Nor  was  this  opinion  at  all  weak- 
ened when,  shortly  after  having  graduated  M.  D., 
he  led  to  the  altar  one  of  the  fair  daughters  of  that 
city. 

Although  living  in  the  North,  the  Doctor  still 
retained  his  Southern  predilections,  and  had  suffered 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  281 

no  little  annoyance  from  Justus's  attempts  to  show 
him  his  wrong  principles  on  the  subject  of  slavery, 
and  convert  him  from  the  errors  of  his  way.  But 
since  the  visit  of  the  latter  to  Texas,  he  was  less 
inclined  than  formerly  to  engage  in  argument  on 
this  topic,  and  was  often  rallied  by  his  cousin  on 
having  become  a  slaveholder. 

"No,"  he  would  reply,  "  I  am  not  a  slaveholder^ 
nor  do  I  ever  expect  to  be ;  but  I  have  seen  some- 
thing for  myself,  and  have  learned  that  it  is  useless 
to  make  an  outcry  where  no  good  can  result." 

"Not  quite  so  bad  a  thing  as  you  thought,  after 
all,  ha?" 

"  I  have  not  said  that  yet." 

"You  will  not  believe,  then,  there  are  worse 
things,  even  in  this  city,  and  more  to  be  deplored 
than  Southern  slavery?" 

"  ISTo  ;  and  indeed  I  never  before  heard  an  opinion 
so  wild  and  extravagant." 

"  Would  you  believe  it,  then,  if  I,  on  my  veracity , 
were  to  tell  you  it  is  even  the  case  ?" 

"  I  would  presume  not.  What  can  compete  with 
slavery,  in  this  respect,  not  to  say  surpass?" 

"  Poverty,  wretchedness,  licensed  vice,  slavery  in  a 
worse  form." 

"  Yes,  slavery  in  a  worse  form,  if  such  a  thing  were 


282  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

possible.  But  I  perceive  you  are  not  serious,  for 
there  is  nothing  akin  to  that  here." 

"What  does  it  take  to  constitute  slavery?" 

" To  belong  to  another;  to  be  compelled  to  do  as 
he  may  direct." 

"  But  the  case,  I  presume,  is  made  materially 
better,  where  to  all  this  is  added,  as  a  pleasant  alter- 
native, the  liberty  of  starving  or  doing  worse." 

"  You  do  n't  mean  that  such  is  ever  the  case  in 
the  free  States  ?" 

"  I  wish  I  had  no  cause  to  mean  it." 

"  Let  us  have  an  instance,  then,  of  any  such  de- 
plorable condition." 

"  How  many  mechanics,  of  the  various  orders  in 
this  city,  would  be  thrown  out  of  employment,  were 
all  the  labor  divided  among  such  a  number  only  as 
it  would  sustain  in  affluence,  or  even  in  competence? 
And  yet,  all  these  persons  must  subsist  by  their 
labor.  In  such  a  state  of  affairs,  can  there  be  any 
independence  ?  No  !  They  must  have  work.  The 
employers  have  the  advantage ;  hands  are  plentiful, 
and  readily  obtained.  And  while  the  circumstance 
of  sickness  or  scant  days'  labor  does  not  effect  the 
interest  of  the  slave,  the  free  hired  laborer  suffers  a 
reduction  or  loss  of  wages,  should  bad  health,  or 
other  causes,  prevent  his  continual  toiling.  What 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  283 

indignities  and  insults,  too,  are  they  often  compelled 
to  endure  from  a  purse-proud  employer,  on  false 
or  trivial  provocation's  !  And,  though  free  to  aban- 
don the  service  of  the  selfish  and  unjust,  it  is,  as  in 
the  other  case,  too  apt  to  involve  the  loss  of  employ- 
ment, and  consequent  suffering  of  the  family. 
Hence,  as  an  inevitable  choice,  thousands  in  the 
bonds  of  a  heartless  servitude  are  compelled  to 


•beo;  a  brother  of  the  earth 


To  give  them  leave  to  toil.' 

"Yet  we  will  admit  this  is  not  the  case  you  de- 
manded. You  may  call  these  free,  independent, 
happy,  as  they  certainly  are,  in  comparison  with  the 
lower  classes.  What  though  they  are  compelled 
through  necessity,  to  sell  their  sons !  I  say  sell,  for 
it  can  scarcely  be  regarded  in  any  other  light.  Sent 
away  from  home,  at  the  very  time  they  most  need 
parental  oversight  to  foster  the  good  principles  that 
we  will  suppose  already  implanted,  into  the  hands 
of  one  who,  oftener  than  any  other  way,  may  have 
no  further  regard  for  them  than  to  get  the  most  he 
can  for  the  food  given  them — to  say  nothing  of  the 
kind,  or  manner  of  serving  it — for  the  five,  seven, 
or  nine  years  they  are  to  belong  to  him.  This,  it  is 
true,  is  slavery  only  for  a  limited  time ;  but  still,  it 
is  a  despotism — not  the  endearing  relation  of  father 


284  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

and  child.  The  parents  have  sold  all  the  right  they 
ever  had  to  his  services,  to  be  clear  of  the  expense 
of  supporting  him.  There  is,  indeed,  another  osten- 
sible object — the  acquisition  of  a  useful  trade.  But, 
were  it  not  for  the  slavery  of  inexorable  circum- 
stances, more  oppressive  and  unrelenting  than  that 
over  which  hangs  the  '  dark  shadow  of  law,'  \vhat 
father  would  not  select  other  means  of  teaching  his 
son  a  suitable  occupation  ?  And,  even  with  all  the 
sacrifices  made  for  this  end,  how  often  does  the 
'prentice  find  himself  turned  out  on  the  world,  at 
man's  estate,  with  scarcely  any  knowledge  of  his 
business  ? 

"What  phase  of  Southern  slavery  can  be  more 
harrowing  to  the  feelings  than  the  condition  of  a 
Christian  mother,  forcibly,  I  might  say,  deprived 
of  the  society  of  her  son,  doomed  to  mourn  over 
his  estrangement  from  his  own  fireside,  performing 
the  drudgery  of  life  for  others,  learning  vicious 
habits,  and  exposed  to  the  hardening  influence  of 
wickedness,  unrestrained  by  a  mother's  gentle  in- 
fluence. Or,  perchance,  to  be  compelled  to  listen 
to  complaints  from  her  poor  delicate  child  of  abuses 
which  it  is  out  of  her  power  to  correct  or  prevent, 
which  must  be  endured,  and  which  she  yet  sees  are 
wearing  him  to  his  grave." 

"  You  are  entirely  carried  away  with  your  theme. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  285 

and  forget  that  every  evil  you  have  portrayed  can 
be  found  in  the  South  as  well  as  in  the  North." 

"  There  are,  I  know,  ills  that  belong  to  society  in 
any  division  of  the  world.  But  do  you  not  find 
objectionable  features  in  this  system  that  negro 
slavery  in  a  great  measure  obviates  ?  But  it  is  a 
matter  of  indifference  to  me  whether  or  not  there 
be  as  much  suffering  among  the  free,  where  slavery 
exists,  as  where  it  is  unknown.  The  indisputable 
fact  that  we  have,  in  the  latter  places,  a  large  class 
who  cannot  boast  of  surpassing  in  real  enjoyment 
the  slave  population,  should  teach  us  the  stupidity 
of  making  an  outcry  against  slavery,  especially  when 
it  is  so  plain  that  nature,  by  their  inferior  capacity 
and  cheerful  submission  to  their  lot,  has  so  well 
fitted  them  for  this  position. 

"  I  set  out  to  show  you  one  of  this  class,  but  have 
already  spent  too  much  time.  I  will  only  direct 
attention  to  the  sewing  order — needle-women,  and 
those  having  no  settled  calling.  I  have  a  visit  to 
make  this  afternoon ;  ride  with  me  ;  perhaps  before 
returning,  our  views  may  yet  harmonize." 

As  they  set  out,  Justus  remarked,  "You  will 
admit,  Doctor,  that  negro  slavery  is  dishonorable 
and  degrading  to  the  female.  To  what  excess  of 
bestial  indulgence  and  sacrifice  of  virtue,  does  it 
tend!" 


286  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

"I  am  aware,"  returned  his  companion,  "much 
lias  been  said  and  written  on  this  point,  and  a  false 
sympathy  in  this  direction  has  overlooked  vice  and 
abandonment  of  a  deeper  hne,  and  nearer  home. 

"Do  you  observe  that  female  just  passing  the 
sidewalk?" 

"I  do." 

"  She  is  a  beautiful  woman,  is  she  not  ?" 

"Very,  indeed!" 

"And  that  is  not  all ;  she  is  intelligent,  educated, 

<w 

and  well-bred ;  yet,  writh  all  this,  she  is  an  aban- 
doned, ruined  woman.  Consorting  with  the  lost 
and  vile,  she  inhabits  a  den  of  infamy,  and  leads  a 
life  of  sin. 

"  Once  in  good  circumstances,  her  father's  reverses 
reduced  her  to  the  condition  of  a  servant-girl. 

"Her  story,  though  a  long  one,  is  full  of  in- 
terest, a  mere  outline  of  which  will  suffice. 

"Her  personal  appearance  and  pleasant  manner 
excited  the  bitter  jealousy  of  her  first  mistress,  who, 
after  a  series  of  shameful  abuse,  gratified  her  hate- 
ful passion  by  dismissing  the  girl,  and  blasting  her 
character  by  base  and  unfounded  reports. 

"  I  need  not  depict  the  mental  agony  of  the  un- 
fortunate woman,  thus  spurned  from  her  only 
home;  nor  the  mortification  and  shame  attending 
her  frequent  application  for  a  place.  The  mistress' 


THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E  -D  E  A  L  E  R.  287 

story  had  done  the  work,  and  effectually  barred  the 
door  to  her  employment. 

"  How  long  and  painful  the  struggle  before  she 
fell,  none  can  tell.  But,  neglected  and  cast  out  by 
the  virtuous,  and  assailed  by  insidious  temptation, 
she  found,  in  the  end,  some  justification  for  wrong 
in  a  plea  of  necessity.  She  is  now  the  depraved 
being  you  see,  lost  to  society,  and  an  outcast  from 
virtue. 

"As  low  as  she  may  have  fallen,  she  is  but  the 
type  of  a  large  class,  who,  through  inclination, 
temptation,  or  necessity,  are  thus  degraded,  and, 
like  festering  sores,  lend  their  influence  to  blast  and 
destroy  others ;  when,  by  their  capacity  and  talents 
properly  directed,  the  world  in  them  might  have 
been  blessed. 

"  The  condition  of  the  female  negro  slave  finds 
no  parallel  to  this ;  for,  how  much  soever  in  this 
prospect  she  might  be  degraded,  her  social  and 
mental  status  would  neutralize  its  influence  for  evil ; 
while  the  ample  provision  made  for  her  comfort 
and  support,  creates  an  absence  of  necessity  often 
so  fatally  misleading  others." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  their  destination, 
and  in  silence  entered  the  house.  Though  every 
tiling  denoted  poverty,  Justus  was  struck  with  the 
neat  and  orderly  arrangement  of  the  interior, 


288  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

among  which  several  children,  whose  scanty  ap- 
parel, joined  to  their  scrupulous  neatness,  was  not 
the  least-noticeable  feature.  A  frail-looking  woman, 
evidently  worn  with  watching  and  fatigue,  wel- 
comed them.  "Want,  and  consequent  anxiety,  had 
left  their  traces  on  her  pale  face,  which,  still  plea- 
sant, expressed  more  than  ordinary  intelligence. 

The  husband  was  the  doctor's  patient,  whom  he 
found  much  improved.  Being  an  excellent  me- 
chanic, he  was  able,  when  in  good  health,  to  sup- 
port a  comfortable  style  of  living ;  but  having  for 
a  length  of  time  been  in  a  feeble  state,  his  situa- 
tion at  present  was  really  distressing.  Indeed, 
knowing  that  such  must  inevitably  be  the  result  of 
sickness  in  his  case,  he  had,  at  length,  by  struggling 
in  his  weakness  against  it,  found  himself  entirely 
prostrated. 

It  was  the  story  of  the  mother,  however,  elicited 
by  the  doctor,  that  chiefly  attracted  the  attention 
of  Justus,  and  excited  his  sympathy. 

She  had  but  recently  buried  a  son,  twelve  years 
of  age ;  a  promising  child,  modest  and  retiring  in 
his  disposition,  her  hope  and  pride,  and  the  idol  of 
his  young  sisters.  Unable  to  give  the  statement 
with  the  same  mournful  effect  produced  by  the 
the  wreeping  mother,  we  shall  only  transfer  to  this 
page  the  substance  of  the  sad  narrative. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  289 

Little  Felix  was  a  good  boy;  he  was  an  intellec- 
tual child,  but  very  timid,  and  of  a  delicate  con- 
stitution. At  the  end  of  his  tenth  year,  urged  by 
necessity,  his  father  determined  to  bind  him  to  a 
tailor,  that  he  might  thus  lessen  the  burden  of 
family  support,  and  learn  useful  employment. 

"I  need  not  say,"  remarked  the  lady,  "that  this 
to  me  was  excessively  painful.  I  could  see  he  was 
unhappy,  and  at  every  visit  from  him  my  heart  was 
made  to  ache ;  he  would  have  so  much  to  tell  me 
of  his  little  troubles.  There  was  no  one  at  his 
new  home  to  confide  in,  for  none  there  cared  for 
him ;  he  was  made  the  butt  of  his  fellow-apprentices, 
and  his  master's  children  treated  him  as  an  infe- 
rior being.  Yet  he  *was  not  complaining,  but,  in 
his  simplicity,  detailed  the  daily  events  of  his  young 
life,  with  patient  submission,  as  though  inevitable  ; 
yet  by  which,  nevertheless,  I  could  see,  he  at  times 
became  quite  dejected." 

It  was  in  vain  that  his  mother,  on  such  occasions, 
endeavored  to  comfort  him  by  picturing  a  brighter 
future.  How  could  she  hope  to  inspire  him  with 
the  enthusiasm  she  herself  felt  not. 

"No,  mother!"  he  would  reply,  "I  am  only  a 
poor  boy;  there  is  nothing  else  for  me.  I  have 
none  that  can  help  me,  and  I  sometimes  think  it 
10 


290  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

would  be  better  to  die  at  once.  But  for  you  and 
the  children,  0,  how  dark  my  life  would  be  !" 

"Poor  child!"  sobbed  the  mother,  "he  little 
knew  how  near  he  was  to  such  an  end !" 

But  one  week  before  his  death,  he  innocently 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  his  master,  and  this, 
too,  in  a  very  trivial  matter.  It  was  his  task 
to  do  the  errands  both  of  the  shop  and  the 
house,  and,  on  one  of  these  occasions,  he  chanced  to 
lose  his  thimble.  The  "boss"  was  angry,  and 
threatened  a  prompt  and  severe  punishment,  unless 
the  article  were  speedily  found.  Knowing  from 
experience  this  was  no  idle  threat,  and  wishing 
above  all  things  to  escape  the  cruel  castigation  in 
store,  on  his  morning  errand  *to  the  baker's,  he  ob- 
tained bread  of  an  inferior  quality,  and  was  able  to 
invest  the  difference  of  price  in  a  new  thimble. 

"Felix,  have  you  found  that  thimble?"  sternly 
demanded  the  master,  on  his  return. 

"Here  is  a  thimble,  sir,"  he  stammered  out,  at 
the  same  time  drawing  it  from  his  pocket. 

"Js  that  the  one  you  lost,  sir?" 

The  child  could  not  lie,  and  there  was  no  re- 
sponse ;  but  his  lips  quivered,  and  tears  gathered 
in  his  eyes. 

i  i Answer  me,  sir  !  Have  you  found  your  own  thimble  f ' ' 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  291 

"]STo,  sir !"  sobbed  the  boy. 

"Where  did  you  get  this,  then?  I  suppose, 
though,  your  foolish  mother  has  given  it  to  you,  in 
hopes  of  cheating  me,  and  saving  you  a  whipping. 
But  it  will  not  do ;  I  shall  encourage  no  such  care- 
lessness." 

"  I  bought  it,"  was  all  the  child  could  reply,  for 
his  tears. 

"And  where  did  you  get  the  money,  sir?  you  are 
not  accustomed  to  having  change  of  your  own !" 

No  attempt  at  concealment  was  made,  and  the 
whole  story  was  told. 

"You  stupid  little  blockhead!  Did  you  think 
to  play  that  kind  of  a  game  on  me  without  dis- 
covery? You  have  only  made  the  matter  worse 
with  yourself;  for  now,  instead  of  one  whipping, 
you  are  entitled  to  two." 

Finding  entreaties  vain,  the  child  attempted  to 
escape  by  running.  His  master  observing  the  mo- 
tion too  quickly,  and  his  orders  to  stop  not  being 
heeded,  he  threw  a  billet  of  wood  with  such  force, 
that,  striking  him  on  the  head,  it  prostrated  him. 
The  whipping  was  then  most  savagely  inflicted. 
At  this  point  the  mother's  emotion  completely 
overcame  her.  Recovering  herself,  she  said : 

"  Yes,  Doctor,  you  told  me  Felix  died  of  a  fever, 
but  I  thought  then,  and  ever  shall  think  that  he 


292  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

was  killed — murdered  by  inhuman  treatment,  and 
that  this  last  punishment  was  the  immediate  cause 
of  his  death!" 

It  would  have  been  intrusion  to  offer  consolation 
to  such  grief,  and  the  gentlemen  withdrew. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  293 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

CINDY. 

"  My  friends !  do  they  now  and  then  send 
A  wish  or  a  thought  after  me  ?" 

THE  connection  of  Henry  with  the  subject  of  our 
story  having  rendered  it  necessary  to  say  thus  much 
in  regard  to  him,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  re- 
turn to  the  residence  of  McMinime,  to  note  the 
effect  of  that  gentleman's  arrival  without  his  ser- 
vant. 

It  is  needless  to  speak  of  the  surprise  and  vexa- 
tion of  the  white  members  of  the  family — the  va- 
rious blessings,  or  the  particular  form  in  which  they 
were  invoked  on  the  head  of  all  abolitionists  in 
general,  and  Justus  in  particular.  But  let  the  reader 
just  imagine  one  of  the  "little  niggers"  stopping 
his  play,  and  rushing  into  the  kitchen,  bawling  with 
the  very  utmost  power  of  his  lungs : 

"Aunt  Cindy !  Aunt  Cindy !  Ole  Mastali  's  com,e 
back!" 


294  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

On  the  instant  down  dropped  the  tray,  from  which 
she  had  been  putting  her  dough  into  the  receptacle 
for  baking,  and  Aunt  Cindy,  jumping  up  and  caper- 
ing with  sudden  delight,  knocked  little  Charlie,  who 
was  just  beginning  to  "toddle,"  sprawling  on  the 
floor.  Not  even  taking  time  to  quiet  the  squalling 
urchin,  but  simply  standing  him  on  his  feet,  and 
satisfying  herself  he  was  not  seriously  hurt,  away 
she  darted  to  the  yard-gate  to  greet  her  husband, 
not  entertaining  the  remotest  doubt  of  his  having 
accompanied  his  master  home. 

But — no ! — does  she  see  aright  ?  There  is  a  horse, 
and  but  a  single  one,  and  instead  of  Henry,  Peter  is 
silently  conducting  him  to  the  stable.  But  one 
horse !  what  can  it  mean  ?  A  fearful  suspicion 
crossed  her  mind,  and,  bowing  her  head  upon  the 
fence,  she  trembled  with  ill-suppressed  emotion. 

For  a  few  moments  she  thus  gave  way  to  excess 
of  feeling,  and  then,  terribly  calm,  as  if  some  fear- 
ful determination  had  been  formed,  she  muttered 
between  her  clenched  teeth  : 

"If  he  has,  I  '11  do  it,  if  there 's ;"  then  sud- 
denly checking  herself,  "No!  Mas  Tom  neva  do  it. 
He  'd  jis  as  soon  do  any  thing  else.  When  we  was 
married,  he  tol'  me  he  would  'nt  neva  part  us,  and 
I  know  he  would 'nt;  sumf'ii  's  happened!  I  Aspect 
he's  dead." 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  295 

Then  bursting  into  tears,  she  returned  to  the 
kitchen,  not  possessing  sufficient  courage  to  learn 
by  application  to  her  master  the  true  state  of  the 
case.  Entering  her  cabin,  she  threw  herself  on  the 
bed,  not  observing  that  the  bread-tray,  to  the  great 
danger  of  her  dwelling,  was  about  taking  fire  from 
the  coals  on  which  it  had  fallen,  and  gave  way  to  a 
long  and  uncontrollable  fit  of  grief. 

In  the  meantime,  the  question  was  debated  in  the 
house  as  to  how  the  mournful  tidings  should  be 
conveyed  to  Cindy,  and  who  should  undertake  the 
task ;  for  it  was  well  known  she  was  devotedly  at- 
tached to  her  husband,  and  inclined,  on  his  account, 
too  easily  to  yield  to  sorrow. 

"I  will  tell  her,  ma,"  said  little  Fanny,  the  tears 
streaming  from  her  eyes. 

"0,  no,  daughter,"  said  her  father;  "you  have 
not  the  tact  for  such  an  office.  You  will  be  apt  to 
afflict  her  more  than  need  be.  Mary,  you  have  pru- 
dence, and  can  more  quietly  break  to  her  the  sad 
intelligence." 

"  No,  no,  pa !  I  believe  Fanny  is  really  better 
fitted  for  such  a  duty  than  I  am,  and  will  perform  it 
more  feelingly  than  I  possibly  could." 

It  was  decided  that  Fanny  should  be  the  bearer  of 
the  unwelcome  news,  and  with  a  full  heart  she  went 
on  her  sorrowful  mission. 


296  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"Aunt  Cindy!"  again  bawled  the  little  darkey; 
"Aunt  Cindy  !  here  comes  Miss  Fanny." 

This  announcement  caused  a  fresh  burst  of  grief, 
and,  burying  her  head  in  the  bedclothes,  the  poor 
negro  awaited  the  confirmation  of  her  worst 
fears. 

"OLaudy!"she  sobbed;  "its  done;  he's  sold, 
or  dead,  and  they  've  sent  Miss  Fanny  to  tell  me." 

"0  Cindy!"  said  a  soft  voice,  tremulous  and 
almost  choked  with  emotion.  A  long-drawn,  heavy 
sigh  was  the  only  response. 

"  Cindy  !"  repeated  the  same  voice,  and  the  gentle 
creature  was  removing  the  covering  from  her  head. 

"  O  Miss  "  But  further  utterance  was  pre- 
vented by  sobs. 

"What  is  the  matter,  Cindy?"  and  the  kind- 
hearted  child  had  taken  her  seat  on  the  bed,  and, 
with  her  poor  dependant's  head  resting  upon  her 
lap,  freely  mingled  her  tears  with  those  of  the  sor- 
rowing servant. 

After  a  few  moments  spent  thus,  the  afflicted  wife 
found  strength  to  ask  that  which  she  wished  to 
know,  yet  feared  to  learn. 

"  Where 's  Henry,  Miss  Fanny  ?" 

A  more  copious  shedding  of  tears,  and  a  sorrow- 
ful bending  over  her  troubled  domestic,  was  the 
only  reply  of  the  little  comforter. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  297 

"  0  Laudy !  is  he  dead,  Miss  Fanny  ?  Laud  'ave 
mercy  on  me !" 

"!No,  Cindy  !  he 's  not  dead,  or  was  not  when  pa 
left  him." 

"  Left  him  !"  fairly  screamed  the  negro  ;  but  in- 
stantly becoming  more  calm,  she  said : 

"Mas  Tom  has 'nt  sold  him,  now,  has  he,  Miss 
Fanny?" 

"  Why,  how  you  talk,  Gin !  you  know  he  would  'nt 
do  such  a  thing." 

These  words  inspired  a  ray  of  hope  in  the  listener, 
and  she  eagerly  exclaimed  : 

"  Where  is  he,  then,  Miss  Fanny  ?  Is  he  comin'  ? 
Will  he  soon  be  here  ?"  Then,  with  renewed  weep- 
ing, the  child  told  the  tale,  the  recital  of  which 
crushed  the  joy  excited  by  the  former  words,  and 
overwhelmed  with  a  burden  of  fresh  despair  the 
disconsolate  wife. 

"  Could  'nt  Mas  Tom  keep  'um  from  a  takin' 
him  ?"  were  the  first  words  after  the  sad  narrative. 

"No,  indeed!  They  took  him  by  force  off  the 
boat,  and  a  serious  time  they  had  of  it,  too." 

Here  she  gave  the  particulars  of  the  rescue. 

"  The  mean  wretches  !"  ejaculated  Cindy.  "  How 
I  wish  he  had  a  killed  'um  !  But  ain't  it  strange, 
Miss  Fanny,  that  he  should  miss  both  times,  and  so 
close,  too,  with  his  pistol  ?" 


298  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"  There  is  something  more  yet :  you  remember 
the  abolitionist  that  raised  such  a  disturbance  at 
the  camp-meeting  some  years  ago.  He  was  the 
man  that  started  away  with  '  Gin'r'l  Washington,' ' 
she  continued,  to  aid  the  memory  of  her  listener, 
which  seemed  to  be  rather  slow. 

"  O,  yes !  I  remember,  now." 

"  He  was  on  the  steamer  as  pa  went  over  from 
New  Orleans ;  and  ma  says,  she  's  satisfied  he  ar- 
ranged the  whole  plan,  and  took  the  bullets  out  of 
the  pistols  before  he  left  the  vessel,  and  I  just  ex- 
pect he  did." 

Cindy  vented  her  imprecations  on  the  head  of  the 
scheming  abolitionist,  wishing  most  vehemently 
they  had  "  drownded  the  low-lived  scamp  in  the 
creek,  when  they  gave  him  that  duckin'.  She  did 
not  believe,  for  her  part,  that  such  folks  was  any 
sort  o'  use  in  the  world,  no  how." 

For  a  time  anger  seemed  to  have  gotten  the  better 
of  her  sorrow. 

"  But  faded  soon  the  borrowed  force ; 
Grief  claimed  its  right,  and  tears  their  course." 

Again  she  grew  calm  enough  to  ask,  "But  don't 
you  think  he  '11  come  back,  Miss  Fannie  ?" 

"Well,  Cindy,"  she  replied,  with  some  hesitation, 
"  pa  told  me  to  say  nothing  to  excite  hope  where 
there  was  no  ground  for  it,  and  he  says  there  is  no 


THE     YANKEE    S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E.  299 

earthly  chance  of  his  ever  returning.  But  still,  I 
cannot  avoid  thinking  that,  some  day,  I  may  yet 
see  my  good  Henry  again." 

Fanny's  efforts  to  stay  the  grief  of  poor  Cindy 
were  of  but  little  avail ;  yet,  if  she  could  not  com- 
fort, she  could  at  least  weep  with  her.  Leaving 
them  thus  engaged,  we  proceed  with  our  narrative. 

What  character  of  sorrow  can  wholly  resist  the 
soothing  influence  of  time?  Cindy,  having  long 
refused  to  believe  that  her  husband  could  not  come 
to  her  again,  had  at  length  resigned  herself  to  the 
sad  fate  of  widowhood ;  and  though  by  no  means 
forgetful  of  the  past,  found  her  grief  gradually 
assuaged,  and  life  again  wearing  its  usual  gay  smile. 

At  length  it  came  to  be  a  subject  of  remark 
among  the  negroes  of  the  plantation,  that  "Jim 
has  got  to  have  a  heap  o'  business  at  Cindy's  house." 
"  Jim"  was  one  of  the  hands  on  a  neighboring  farm, 
and  his  "business,"  at  least  during  many  visits,  one 
would  have  supposed  to  be  simply  to  sport  with 
little  Charlie,  for  this  was  the  only  .inmate  whose 
notice  he  seemed  capable  of  enlisting.  But  in  this, 
at  any  rate,  he  had  no  difficulty,  for,  having  his 
pockets  always  filled  with  something  to  please  the 
palate  or  eye  of  that  most  important  youngster,  he 
soon  found  himself  a  great  favorite  with  him ;  and 
thus,  by  degrees,  wrought  his  way  to  the  good-will 


300  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

of  the  mother,  whose  reserve  gradually  wore  away? 
till  at  length  Charlie  was  not  the  only  one  to  antici- 
pate his  coming  with  pleasure. 

In  due  course  of  time,  Jim,  with  all  the  gravity 
the  importance  of  the  case  demanded,  waited  on 
McMinime,  praying  his  sanction  to  the  union  of 
himself  and  Cindy,  a  measure  in  which  he  assured 
him  their  mutual  happiness  was  intimately  con- 
cerned. 

"  Why,  how  now,  Jim  ?  Do  n't  you  know  she  has 
a  husband  already?" 

"I  know  she  had  one  Mas'  Tom ;  but  he's  jis  de 
same 's  dead  to  her  now :  she  wont  see  him  no  more." 

"This  is  an  awkward  affair,  Jim.  You  know 
Henry  and  she  were  married,  and  she  is  still  his 
wife ;  though,  as  you  say,  there  is  no  such  a  thing 
as  their  ever  meeting  again  ;  and  I  see  no  particular 
reason  to  object,  if  such  is  her  will.  But  I  did  not 
think  Cindy  would  entertain  such  a  thought  so  soon." 

They  were  married.  Another  year  rolled  away, 
and  Charlie,  who  had  grown  to  be  quite  a  boy,  had 
been  duly  installed  in  the  office  of  nurse  to  his  little 
sister.  Still  no  word  from  Henry  had  been  heard 
to  mar  the  quiet  of  that  pleasant  negro  cabin  fire- 
side, for  Jim,  at  his  own  earnest  request,  had  been 
purchased  by  the  master  of  his  wife.  But  a  cloud 
was  gathering  over  the  peaceful  scene. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  301 

"  Just  read  that,  Mary,"  said  McMinime,  one  day, 
upon  returning  from  the  post-office,  and  tossing,  as 
he  spoke,  a  letter  into  her  lap.  The  lady  had  no- 
ticed that  her  husband's  countenance  indicated  trou- 
ble ;  but,  asking  no  questions,  she  took  the  missive. 
It  read : 

"  DEAR  MASTER  : 

"  I  am  in  Texas  again,  in  Titus  county.  I  got 
with  Mr.  Justus  in  New  York,  and  have  been  with 
him  ever  since.  If  it  had  not  been  for  him,  I  should 
never  have  got  back  to  Texas.  He  says  he  is  going 
to  take  me  home  so  soon  as  he  can  arrange  his  busi- 
ness to  leave  ;  but  so  many  things  have  happened 
to  keep  him  from  going,  that  I  thought  you  might 
be  able  to  come  for  me  before  he  gets  ready :  so  I 
got  a  gentleman  to  write  for  me.  Tell  Cindy  and 
Charlie  I  hope  to  see  them  before  long ;  and  give 
my  love  to  all  the  folks. 

"  From  your  faithful  servant, 

"  HENRY. 

"P.  S. — I  have  written  just  what  Henry  told  me, 
and  as  he  told  it,  with  the  exception  of  the  lan- 
guage; but  do  not  believe  Justus  ever  intends  to 
return  him  home. 

"A  FRIEND." 


302  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"  Say  nothing  about  it,  Mary,"  remarked  her 
husband,  as  the  lady  abstractedly  folded  the  letter ; 
"or  be  careful  to  say  nothing  that  Cindy  can  hear. 
And  now,  what  do  you  think  about  this  affair?" 

"We  are  likely  to  have  a  gloomy  time  here, 
should  Henry  return.  But  could  you  not  contrive 
to  let  him  remain  where  he  is  ?" 

"  I  have  been  perplexed  no  little  since  receiving 
this  letter  ;  and  one  plan  that  suggests  itself  to  my 
mind  is  the  very  thing  you  propose.  I  wish  most 
sincerely,  as  matters  have  thus  turned  out,  that  he 
had  remained  in  New  York.  But  wishing  never 
did  any  good,  especially  in  a  case  of  this  kind.  As 
it  is,  if  he  were  only  with  some  good  man,  he  might 
retain  him  for  his  own  use.  But  I  cannot  bear  the 
thought  of  his  staying  much  longer  with  that  Jus- 
tus. I  shall  start  after  him  to-morrow.  And  now 
the  question  is,  Shall  I  bring  him  back,  or  sell 
him  ?" 

"I  assure  you  my  perplexity  equals  your  own, 
and  your  judgment  must  decide  the  point.  I  can- 
not suffer  my  mind  to  rest  on  either  horn  of  the 
dilemma,  without  a  sensation  akin  to  horror.  To 
have  him  here,  under  the  circumstances,  will  not 
do  ;  and  yet,  how  hard  the  opposite  will  be  to  him  ! 
To  crush  at  once,  and  for  ever,  the  pleasant  hopes 
with  which  he  has,  no  doubt,  been  solacing  himself 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  303 

during  his  long  and  cheerless  captivity !  Either 
way,  the  case  is  too  sad  to  contemplate.  But  if  you 
are  going  after  him,  let  me  ask  it  as  a  favor,  that 
you  will  not  treat  Justus  harshly.  It  may  be  possi- 
ble we  have  wronged  him  by  our  suspicions,  and 
perhaps  you  owe  it  to  him  that  the  boy  is  not  yet  in 
New  York." 

"  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  deal  pretty  harshly 
with  him,  should  we  meet  again.  But  I  will  try 
and  remember  what  you  have  said,  and  not  be 
hasty." 

"I  hope  you  will  do  nothing  rashly,  as  it  might 
expose  you  to  the  pain  of  lasting  regret,  should 
subsequent  events  prove  his  innocence  of  the  base 
conduct  indicated  by  circumstances,  and  show  him, 
instead,  to  be  your  true  friend." 

"I  am  not  apt  to  act  rashly;  and  in  regard  to 
the  other,  the  discovery  you  anticipate  is  not  very 
probable ;  yet  I  will  be  as  mild  with  him  as  the 
nature  of  the  case  admits." 


304  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

BLASTED    HOPES. 

"  Then  fancy  her  magical  pinions  spread  wide, 
And  bade  the  young  dreamer  in  estasy  rise." 

"Ah !  woe  to  thy  dream  of  delight ! 
In  darkness  dissolves  the  gay  frost-work  of  bliss." 

parted  with  the  abolitionist,  in  charge  of 
Henry,  on  the  voyage  from  Baltimore  to  Galveston. 
The  trip  was  speedily  accomplished,  and  in  due  sea- 
son he  found  himself  once  more  in  his  Texian  home. 
Justus  was  a  man  of  taste,  and  had  erected  his 
mansion,  and  laid  off  his  grounds  with  the  view  of 
making  them  the  seat  of  comfort,  and  the  orna- 
ment of  the  neighborhood.  And  it  was  with  no 
little  pain  he  saw  the  changes  that  one  short  year 
had  wrought.  The  place  had  been  let  out,  and  its 
whole  appearance  plainly  told  the  absence  of  an 
owner's  oversight.  He  had  extended  to  Henry  a 
promise  to  convey  him  home,  so  soon  as  circum- 
stances would  permit,  but,  until  his  affairs  were  re- 


THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  305 

stored  to  their  former  state,  it  was  out  of  the  ques- 
tion to  attend  to  aught  else.  In  the  meantime  the 
negro  was  put  to  work. 

At  times  Henry  indulged  the  thought  of  trying 
to  make  his  own  way  home  without  longer  waiting 
on  Justus ;  but  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome,  with 
his  ignorance  of  the  geography  of  the  country,  were 
too  numerous,  even  for  his  anxiety ;  especially  as 
he  still  relied  on  the  integrity  of  his  guardian,  whom, 
notwithstanding,  he  could  not  but  consider  rather 
tardy. 

Justus  had  now  realized  his  most  ardent  wishes, 
and  was  a  married  man.  This  event  occurred 
shortly  after  his  return  to  Texas ;  but  the  change 
had  no  apparent  tendency  to  shorten  the  period  of 
Henry's  detention.  As  month  after  month  passed 
away,  and,  according  to  his  mode  of  computation, 
he  had  seen  the  seed  put  in  the  ground,  and  the 
harvest  gathered  in,  a  suspicion  began  stealing  over 
him  that  it  was  not  intended  he  should  see  home 
again.  With  this  thought  came  an  earnest  desire 
to  defeat  the  design. 

He  was  on  intimate  terms  with  a  person  of  his 
own  rank,  whose  young  master  had  taken  a  singular 
interest  in  him,  and  this  youth  he  determined  to 
make  his  confidant,  entreating  him  to  write  to  his 
master  in  his  behalf. 


306  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

The  plan  succeeded,  and  as  Justus  was  to  remain 
in  ignorance  of  the  transaction,  the  letter  was  writ- 
ten under  a  strict  promise  of  secrecy. 

"Why,  that  Justus  is  a  scoundrel!"  said  the 
young  gentleman,  after  Henry  had  finished  his  story, 
"  If  he  has  so  much  desire  to  restore  you  to  your 
master,  he  should  have  taken  you  home  at  once.  I 
know  he  would  have  been  amply  rewarded  for  his 
trouble  and  expense.  It  is  quite  sensible  in  you, 
Henry,  to  wish  to  write,  which  I  will  do  for  you  with 
pleasure." 

The  reader  has  already  been  informed  of  the  re- 
sult of  this  effort,  which  leaves  us  no  further  ex- 
planations to  make  on  this  point. 

It  chanced  that  Henry's  plan  was  not  kept  so  pro- 
foundly secret  as  he  wished.  He  was  overheard  by 
some  of  the  negroes,  while  talking  to  his  young 
friend,  and  by  some  means  it  reached  Justus  ;  not, 
however,  till  the  lapse  of  some  two  or  three  weeks 
from  the  occurrence.  The  information  evidently 
excited  him ;  and,  hastily  summoning  the  negro,  he 
reproved  him  for  his  ingratitude  and  want  of  confi- 
dence ;  then  ordered  him  to  prepare  at  once  for  his 
return  home. 

The  preparation  was  speedily  accomplished,  and 
the  same  day  found  them  on  the  road.  Henry,  for 
the  first  time  in  many  months,  felt  really  happy,  and 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  307 

his  exuberant  joy  vented  itself  in  snatches  of  song, 
among  which — 

"Par's  no  place  like  home,"  etc., 

rang  out  most  frequently,  and  quite  melodiously. 

"  You  's  tuck  de  wrong  road,  aint  you,  Mas  Jus- 
tus ?"  asked  the  negro  on  the  morning  of  the  second 
day,  as  he  spurred  his  lagging  horse  alongside  of  his 
conductor.  "Aint  dis  de  wrong  road  ?"  he  repeated, 
after  gaining  that  position. 

"  No,  I  guess  not,  Henry.  If  I  am  not  very  much 
at  fault,  our  instructions  were  to  take  the  left-hand 
road ;  though,  if  you  think  otherwise,  it  is  not  a 
great  way  back  to  the  house,  and  you  can  return 
and  ask." 

"  Tears  to  me  now,  dat  is  it,  too  ;  and  I  reckon 
you  's  right." 

As  they  continued  on,  Henry  became  quite  ani- 
mated in  conversation.  He  talked  freely,  recount- 
ing the  anxiety  he  had  formerly  experienced,  and 
indulged  in  pleasant  anticipations  on  the  prospect 
before  him.  Then,  referring  to  his  escape  from  the 
North,  he  remarked  : 

"  Mas  Tom  '11  be  mighty  glad  to  see  me  git  back 
from  dem  fools  wat  wanted  to  make  me  a  free  man, 
anyhow." 

An  unintelligible  smile  passed  over  Justus's  face, 
and  he  observed  : 


308  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"  Pretty  well  clone,  Henry,  indeed  !" 

The  day  had  well-nigh  passed,  and  the  negro  very 
strangely  felt  a  revival  of  his  suspicions  that  they 
were  not  on  the  right  road ;  and  the  impression 
deepened,  as  he  remembered  that  the  way-marks 
did  not  agree  with  those  described  on  their  proper 
route.  Again  he  accosted  his  conductor: 

"Mas'  Justus,  't seems  t'  me  yet  we  must've 
missed  our  road,  somehow." 

"Why  so,  Henry?" 

"Why,  you  know  the  genTman  said  we'd  pass 
a  big  field  whar  de  road'd  fork  agin." 

"  I  seem  to  have  a  faint  recollection  of  something 
of  the  kind;  but  I  presume  it  is  on  ahead,  as  he 
really  did  tell  us  to  take  the  left  road." 

"I  know  he  did  say  de  left;  but  mebbe  dat  wus 
de  second  time.  An'  I  jis  b'leve  now,  dat  wus  it, 
an'  we 's  done  made  a  mistake,  an'  bin  all  day  goin' 
wrong." 

"  I  would  have  you  know,  Henry,  that  I  can  un- 
derstand enough  of  English  to  be  able  to  follow 
directions ;  and  I  do  not  wish  to  be  interrupted 
again  in  this  way." 

This,  if  it  did  not  satisfy,  effectually  silenced  the 
slave.  But  the  more  he  reflected,  the  stronger  did 
his  suspicions  become  that  they  were  not  travelling 
towards  his  home.  He  resolved  to  inquire  of  the 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  309 

first  one  he  might  meet.  Fortune  soon  threw  in 
his  way  one  of  his  own  color,  when,  to  his  astonish- 
ment, he  privately  found  he  was  at  no  great  distance 
from  Shreveport.  He  remembered  having  been  at 
this  place  with  his  master,  on  his  journey  North, 
and  knew  it  was  not  in  Texas.  "  What  could  Mas' 
Justus  mean,  then  ?  Did  he  not  know  he  had  been 
travelling  on  the  wrong  road  ?  He  surely  could  not 
help  seeing  it.  But,  if  so,  why  had  he  gone  so  care- 
lessly ?  "What  could  it  mean  ?" 

Then  first  his  suspicions  began  to  take  tangible 
form.  "  Mas'  Justus  was  goin'  to  do  sumf'n  wrong. 
What  should  he  do?"  It  was  not  a  case  to  admit 
of  much  deliberation.  He  would  relate  his  story, 
and  throw  himself  on  the  protection  of  the  first 
person  he  might  meet. 

The  time  to  act  seemed  to  be  approaching,  as 
they  were  on  the  point  of  meeting  some  teamsters 
on  the  road.  Henry  began  to  con  over  the  speech 
in  which  he  was  to  make  his  situation  known  ;  but 
his  cogitations  were  interrupted  by  the  sound  of 
horses'  feet,  approaching  at  no  leisurely  pace.  Both 
turned  to  look ;  but  a  small  eminence  intervening 
hid  the  comers  from  view.  They  were  not  long, 
however,  in  presenting  themselves,  and — most  un- 
looked-for, and,  to  the  negro,  joyful  sight — it  was 
McMinirne,  accompanied  by  one  of  neighbors. 


310  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

McMinime  seemed  prepared  for  war,  as  he  held 
in  his  hand  a  pistol  ready  cocked.  This,  however, 
he  soon  returned  to  its  case,  remarking,  "I  had 
very  little  doubt,  sir,  this  weapon  would  he  called 
into  requisition  this  afternoon  ;  hut  as  you  have  dis- 
appointed me  in  not  attempting  an  escape,  justice 
has  kindly  delayed  its  punishment  of  your  continual 
villainies ;  though  I  suppose  I  owe  it  to  good  for- 
tune and  hard  riding  that  this  boy  is  not  for  sale 
to-morrow  in  Louisiana.  The  abolitionist  has  de- 
scended very  low  indeed." 

"You  are  very  opportunely  met,"  said  Justus, 
with  forced  calmness,  "  and  I  now  deliver  your  ser- 
vant into  your  own  hands,  and  remove  a  load  of  care 
on  his  account  that  has  long  burdened  my  mind.  But 
it  seems  to  me,  a  different  salutation  might  have 
been  extended,  indebted  so  largely  as  you  are  to  my 
kind  offices  for  his  recovery  and  restoration ;  and  I 
would  fain  ask,  "Why  this  rudeness?" 

"  I  wish  to  be  trifled  with  no  longer,  Mr.  Justus. 
You  have  really  a  mean  opinion  of  my  sagacity,  if 
you  suppose  me  entirely  ignorant  of  your  dealings. 
But,  as  a  reply  to  your  question,  I  presume  you 
consider  yourself  on  the  direct  route  from  Mount 
Pleasant  to  Fayette  county,  and  have  no  knowledge 
of  the  fact  that  you  are  almost  beyond  the  limits  of 
Texas.  Rudeness,  indeed !  How  could  I,  or  why 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  311 

should  I  treat  in  any  other  manner  one  who,  begin- 
ning a  dishonest  course  by  tampering  with  my 
negroes,  develops,  in  the  end,  the  character  of  a 
thief?" 

"  If  an  honest  attempt  to  return  your  servant  con- 
stitutes theft,  then  am  I  guilty.  In  regard  to  my 
going  astray,  it  is  by  no  means  impossible  to  receive 
directions  that  may  lead  one  wrong.  He  is  a  fortu- 
nate man,  indeed,  whose  journeyings  have  all  been 
in  the  right  direction." 

"  With  so  many  opportunities  for  correct  informa- 
tion at  hand,  the  wrong  direction  of  your  present 
journeying  cannot  but  be  wilful;  and  your  base 
effrontery  is  an  insult  to  the  little  intelligence  I 
claim  to  possess.  My  good  or  evil  fortune  has 
brought  me  in  contact  with  too  many  unprincipled 
men  to  be  deceived  by  hypocritical  cant.  While  I 
supposed  Henry  still  in  J^ew  York,  you  dishonestly 
assume  his  ownership  and  the  profits  of  his  labor ; 
but  when  your  conduct  becomes  known  to  me,  his 
sale  presented  an  easy  means  of  extrication  from 
coming  trouble,  and  a  pecuniary  speculation  too 
tempting  to  be  resisted." 

The  countenance  of  Justus  fell  under  the  steady 
gaze  of  McMinime ;  yet,  struggling  to  hide  the  indi- 
cations of  conscious  guilt,  he  haughtily  replied : 

"You  are  entitled  to  the  privilege  of  your  own 


312  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

belief,  and  I  shall  not  condescend  so  low  as  to  at- 
tempt a  defence,  even  by  a  simple  denial.  Perhaps 
your  present  opinion  is  based  on  experience  acquired 
by  some  such  previous  dealing  of  your  own." 

McMinime  involuntarily  clenched  his  fist,  and, 
with  an  effort,  restrained  himself  from  dealing  the 
speaker  a  blow,  at  the  latter  part  of  this  insolent 
sentence.  Checking  his  temper,  however,  he  calmly 
replied : 

"  Suffer  me  to  inform  you,  sir,  that  you  stand  on 
a  very  precarious  footing,  and  the  fewer  such  re- 
marks the  better.  But  I  have  no  time  thus  to  waste. 
Harvey,  keep  the  gentleman  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion until  I  return.  I  wish  to  have  a  little  private 
conversation  with  the  boy,  when,  possibly,  we  may 
have  other  business  to  transact." 

"  I  have  no  conversation  for  him,"  said  the  person 
addressed,  "  and  would  much  rather  keep  him  en- 
gaged with  a  good  horsewhip." 

A  troubled  expression  of  countenance  was  Jus- 
tus's only  reply. 

"  Suppose  I  were  going  to  sell  you,  Henry,"  said 
his  master,  "would  you  like  Mr.  Justus  to  be  the 
purchaser?" 

A  wild  stare,  expressive  of  great  surprise  and 
alarm,  was  at  first  the  only  answer ;  but,  on  being 
pressed,  he  replied,  ""No,  Mas'  Tom;  not  him;  'e's 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  313 

good  'nuf,  ef  o  wan't  so  hard.  But  'e  dunno  wat 
a  nigger 's  able  to  do,  an'  dur  aint  no  sich  a  thing 
as  pleasin'  on  'im.  But,  Mas'  Tom,  you  aint  gwine 
to  sell  me  ?  I's  neva  dun  nuf  n  mean  !" 

"  l^ever  mind  that,  Henry.  But,  that  this  hope 
may  exert  no  influence  over  your  choice,  I  am  com- 
pelled to  sell  you.  Then,  if  this  man  is  a  master 
whom  you  would  rather  serve  than  risk  some  one 
unknown,  say  so." 

"Not  him,  any  way,"  said  the  slave  mournfully. 
Ef  you's  got  to  sell  me,  I'd  ruther  t 'would  be  to 
somebody  else." 

"  There  is  another  thing  I  would  be  glad  to  know, 
Henry.  Do  you  think  Justus  went  astray  by  acci- 
dent or  design?" 

The  negro  related  the  circumstances  in  connec- 
tion with  the  day's  journey,  leaving  his  master  to 
draw  his  own  conclusions.  "At  any  rate,"  mused 
the  latter,  "  he  could  have  been  set  right,  had  he 
desired  it.  He  is,  undoubtedly,  a  bad  man,  and 
should  receive  punishment,  which  I  feel  strongly 
inclined  to  inflict  myself,  rather  than  trust  to  the 
uncertain  contingencies  of  law.  But,  as  he  may 
claim  payment  for  his  expenses  in  your  behalf,  I 
will  at  once  settle  with  him." 

In  regard  to  this  matter,  Justus  claimed  a  return 
of  money  expended,  allowing  the  labor  of  Henry 


314  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

as  compensation  for  time  and  trouble.  The  money 
was  paid,  when  McMinime  remarked  : 

"For  obvious  reasons,  I  am  far  from  looking 
upon  this  as  a  just  debt;  but  there  is  a  righteous 
demand  which  should  at  once  be  paid;  and  you 
cannot  object  if,  after  such  scrupulous  exactness  on 
my  part  toward  you,  I  urge  a  fulfillment  of  the 
strict  claims  of  justice  in  my  favor." 

"I  didn't  think  you  would  wish  your  money 
back  after  such  a  show  of  fair  dealing,"  replied  the 
abolitionist. 

"  0,  no  !  keep  the  money,  sir  !  and  consider  your- 
self rewarded  for  drawing  the  loads  from  my  pistol; 
while,  for  the  act  of  stealing  my  negro,  a  different 
guerdon  should  be  given." 

"Which  will  be  to  cut  off  his  ears,"  said  his 
companion. 

"No,  no,  Harvey!  though  properly  deserved,  the 
act  on  our  part  might  savor  of  cruelty  and  revenge ; 
3Tet,  as  even  the  convicted  hog-thief  goes  to  the 
whipping-post,  a  few  lashes  well  laid  on  might 
mend  this  fellow's  manners  for  the  future,  and 
teach  him  proper  respect  for  his  neighbor's  pro- 
perty. But  I  don't  care  to  degrade  myself  by  doing 
the  hangman's  work,  and,  for  this  time,  he  may  go 
scot-free.  Though,  should  he  cross  my  path  again, 
I  '11  not  promise  him  so  much  mercy. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  315 

"  So,  now,  Mr.  Justus,  as  our  present  transaction 
is  ended,  I  bid  you  farewell.  You  are  not  the  first 
abolitionist  whose  pity  for  the  poor  slave  has  changed 
'to  a  covetous  and  unjust  abuse  of  him.  And, 
while  common  honesty  may  have  marked  the 
course  of  others,  the  total  absence  of  that  virtue  in 
the  present  case,  has  superadded  to  your  other  sins 
and  hypocrisies,  a  vile  felony,  the  absence  of  the 
proper  punishment  for  which  you  owe  alone  to  my 
mercy.  The  wrong  done  myself,  I  can  easily  for- 
give ;  but  what  atonement  can  wipe  out  your  crime 
against  humanity,  and  the  peace  of  this  poor  negro, 
for  ever  destroyed  by  his  forced  and  cruel  separa- 
tion from  family  and  home.  Could  the  4  man- 
stealer'  on  African  soil,  whose  atrocities  have  so 
often  excited  your  horror,  be  more  ruthless !  He 
thinks  he  is  soon  to  see  his  wife  and  child,  and  en- 
joy again  his  former  peaceful  home,  but  your  bar- 
barity has  separated  them  for  ever,  and  left  him  but 
the  wreck  of  that  happiness  once  all  he  desired. 
Go,  sir !  and  let  this  be  our  final  interview." 

As  Justus  obeyed,  he  muttered,  "Not  the  final 
interview :  we  have  one  more  meeting,  then  let  him 
triumph  who  wins." 

The  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  as  McMinime 
and  his  party  slowly  began  their  return.  The  tired 
horses  gave  evidence  of  a  hard  pursuit,  and  night- 


316  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

fall  finding  them  remote  from  a  habitation,  prepa- 
rations were  made  for  a  bivouac  in  the  woods. 

Poor  Henry !  But  one  short  night  previously, 
he  would  have  thought  himself  happy  in  his  present 
situation ;  and  such  now  would  he  have  considered 
his  lot,  but  for  the  sad  intelligence  communicated 
by  his  master.  This  preyed  on  his  mind,  fore- 
boding the  destruction  of  his  long-cherished  hope — 
the  only  solace  in  his  painful  exile. 

The  cheerful  blaze  of  the  camp-fire  illuminated 
the  gloorq.  of  the  surrounding  forest,  giving  a  pic- 
turesque air  of  comfort  to  the  lonely  spot  occupied 
by  the  travellers.  The  bustle  of  preparing  and 
disposing  of  the  evening  repast  had  ended,  and  a 
quiet  stillness  settled  on  the  little  company,  when 
the  negro,  with  an  anxious  countenance,  approached 
McMinime.  His  habitual  respect  for  his  master 
caused  a  hesitation  in  opening  his  mission.  That 
master's  word  had  never  before  been  called  in 
question,  but  he  felt,  in  the  present  instance,  that  a 
matter  of  such  vast  concern  to  him  as  that  now 
pending,  might  justify  him  in  seekiugan  explanation. 
'You  ain't  rally  gwine  to  sell  me,  is  you,  Mas' 
Tom,  from  Cindy  and  Charley?"  he  began,  in  a 
tone  of  sadness,  yet  great  respect.  "  You  know  I 
used  to  be  de  bes'  hand  on  de  place,  an'  I  ain't  for- 
got nuf'n  since  I's  bin  gone." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  317 

The  evident  distress  of  the  servant  disturbed  the 
gentleman  no  little;  he  was  perplexed  the  more 
from  his  inability  to  give  relief. 

"Yes,  Henry,"  he  replied,  "I  think  it  necessary, 
notwithstanding  the  requirements  of  the  case 
render  it  no  less  painful  to  me.  I  have  never  yet 
been  called  on  to  perform  a  like  act,  nor  should 
it  now  be  done,  were  it  not  imperative.  And, 
Henry,  it  is  alone  on  Cindy's  account  and  your 
own,  that  I  must  dispose  of  you." 

A  suspicion  seemed  to  steal  over  the  negro,  yet 
he  pleaded:  "But,  Mas'  Tom,  we's  been  married; 
can't  you  do  no  way  't  all  'thout  sep'ratin'  us?" 

"  Henry,  I  had  as  well  tell  you  all !" 

And  he  related  the  circumstances  transpiring  at 
home  during  his  absence,  in  which  he  was  con- 
cerned ;  of  Cindy's  prolonged  grief,  and  subsequent 
marriage.  "  For  these  reasons,  I  think  it  unwise 
for  you  to  return.  Try  and  forget  your  old  home, 
and  make  the  best  of  your  fate.  Yours  is  a  dis- 
tressing lot,  but  I  do  not  believe  you  would  wish  to 
involve  others  in  its  misery,  especially  as  they  acted 
in  good  faith,  believing  it  impossible  for  you  ever 
to  return.  There  is  but  one  thing  I  can  now  do 
for  you,  Henry;  that  is,  to  secure  you  a  good  master. 
This  I  will  endeavor  to  do ;  and  I  can  only  hope 


318  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

that,  forgetting  the  past,  you  will  commence  your 
life  anew,  and  still  live  to  be  happy!" 

Henry  did  not  reply;  perfectly  stupefied,  he 
stood  for  a  few  moments  gazing  vacantly  into  the 
fire,  as  if  trying  to  realize  his  master's  words.  No 
emotion  was  visible,  and  with  a  slow  and  sullen 
manner  he  retired  to  himself.  On  the  following 
day  he  seemed  rather  dull,  but  was  otherwise  much 
the  same  as  usual. 

We  simply  state  the  fact  that  the  sale  was  duly 
effected;  the  owner,  in  carrying  out  his  promise, 
having  transferred  him  to  one  who,  according  to 
the  universal  award  of  his  neighbors,  was  a  humane 
and  Christian  master.  As  for  Henry  himself,  he 
seemed  to  be  in  no  way  affected  by  the  change,  re- 
ceiving it  with  apparent  indifference. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  319 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

JUSTUS    A    SLAVE-IIOLDEK. 
"Is  thy  servant  a  dog  that  he  should  do  this  great  thing?" 

THE  threat  uttered  by  Justus  on  leaving  Mc- 
Minime  had  a  deep  meaning  couched  in  it.  De- 
termined to  remain  in  the  South,  it  had  seemed 
a  necessity  to  fall  into  the  customs  of  the  people, 
and  adopt  their  style  and  manner  of  living.  To  do 
this,  servants  were  necessary,  and  no  plan  seemed 
so  reasonable  as  to  have  them  of  his  own.  Besides, 
being  necessary  to  personal  comfort,  they  added  to 
one's  respectability,  while  the  proceeds  of  their  labor 
was  no  mean  source  of  profit.  These  motives  were 
not  without  their  proper  influence  on  a  man  who, 
like  Justus,  though  misled  by  the  delusion  of 
youthful  enthusiasm,  had  still  respect  sufficient  for 
his  early  training  to  remember  that  success  in  life, 
at  last,  depends  upon  the  acquisition  of  gold.  A 
desire  for  this  formed  no  small  part  of  the  original 


820  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

motive  drawing  him  South,  and  finding,  after  wise 
examination,  his  ostensible  object  unpromising  pe- 
cuniarily, he  prudently  ignored  his  previous  views, 
and  became  in  fact  a  Southern  man. 

Having  thus  selfishly  surrendered  his  principles, 
it  is  not  surprising  if,  under  the  promptings  of  in- 
terest, similar  sacrifices  of  his  remaining  honesty 
should  at  any  time  be  made.  This  led  to  the  results 
detailed  in  the  preceding  chapter. 

The  timely  interposition  of  McMinime  having 
prevented  the  sale  of  Henry,  and  his  plain  language 
exasperating  the  feelings  of  the  abolitionist,  hastened 
the  development  of  a  long-contemplated  scheme. 
This  was  to  obtain  possession  of  "Sambo,"  for 
whom  McMinime  had  given  a  bill  of  sale,  for  the 
purpose,  as  faithfully  promised  by  Justus,  of  liber- 
ating him  in  a  free  State. 

The  failure  of  this  plan,  and  the  surreptitious 
possession  of  the  bill  of  sale,  made  in  his  own  name, 
gave  the  abolitionist  an  advantage  he  now  deter- 
mined to  use. 

On  a  pleasant  morning  in  early  spring,  some  few 
months  after  the  events  just  narrated,  two  gentle- 
men were  seen  approaching  each  other  on  a  public 
thoroughfare  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  McMinime. 
They  met,  and  saluted  with  the  cordial  familiarity 
of  old  friends. 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E.  321 

"Good  morning,  Mac;  how  go  the  times  with 
you  now?" 

"  Why,  how  do  you  do,  squire  ?  Well,  you  are 
the  last  man  I  was  looking  for  to-day ;  though  none 
the  less  glad  to  see  you  on  that  account." 

After  a  further  interchange,  the  first  remarked : 

"Your  neighbor,  Smith,  has  just  informed  me  of 
the  loss  of  your  boy  '  Sambo,'  the  negro  you  were 
so  foolish  as  to  give  a  bill  of  sale  for  to  that  aboli- 
tionist the  boys  put  in  the  creek.  You  may  remem- 
ber I  advised  against  it,  feeling  certain  no  good 
could  come  from  trusting  a  man  of  his  character. 
But,  how  is  it  ?  I  thought  the  thing  had  ended  by 
the  boy's  running  away,  and  the  return  of  the  bill 
of  sale." 

"Yes,  the  boy  came  back,  and  we  cancelled  our 
bargain ;  and  I  supposed  the  bill  of  sale  safe  in  my 
possession,  until  my  friend,  Shields,  the^  lawyer,  in- 
formed me  Justus  had  placed  it  in  his  hands,  to 
bring  suit  for  the  recovery  of  the  negro.  It  was, 
and  still  is  a  mystery  how  he  ever  obtained  it ;  yet 
finding  he  had  the  advantage  in  law,  and  was  likely 
to  make  me  pay  hire,  in  addition  to  his  loss,  and 
having  an  abhorrence  for  an  unpleasant  litigation,  I 
just  turned  him  over  to  Mr.  Abolitionist ;  and  if 
Sambo  don't  cure  him  of  his  false  notions  of 
11 


322  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

slavery,  I'll  confess  I  am  not  good  at  forming 
conclusions." 

"Cure  him !  why  it  looks  to  me  like  he  was  pretty 
well  cured  already ;  for  I  understand  he  like  to  have 
sold  Henry  for  his  own  benefit,  and  he  has  actually 
as  good  as  stolen  Sambo.  My  word  for  it,  there  will 
be  more  need  for  curing  him  of  useless  severity  to 
his  niggers,  now,  than  any  thing  else." 

"  Perhaps  so ;  but  Sambo  is  gone,  and  I  am  not 
sorry  this  turncoat  abolitionist  has  such  a  hard  case 
to  learn  to  act  the  master  upon.  From  my  experi- 
ence in  his  case,  I  suppose  Justus  will  soon  pity  un- 
fortunate owners  of  such  fellows  more  than  he  for- 
merly did  the  'suffering  slave'  himself." 

Forced,  throug  hmotives  of  policy,  to  change  his 
views  and  actions  on  a  subject,  to  which,  more  than 
all  others,  he  had  felt  the  strongest  attachment,  Jus- 
tus thought  it  necessary  to  prove  his  sincerity  by 
harshness  towards  his  man-servant,  whom  he  re- 
garded as  the  nucleus  of  a  large  plantation  force, 
soon  to  toil  for  his  benefit.  One  would  have  sup- 
posed his  previous  education  would  have  well  fitted 
him  for  a  humane  master,  and  that,  finding  the  des- 
tiny of  a  slave  committed  to  his  charge,  nothing 
that  kindness  and  sympathy  could  offer,  would  be 
lacking  to  lighten  his  hitherto  heavy  burden,  and 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  323 

make  his  lot  pleasant.  Such,  however,  was  not  the 
case ;  and  if  at  any  time  his  better  feelings  prevailed, 
and  conscience  chid  him  for  severity,  he  found  it 
easy  to  shift  the  burden  on  Sambo,  whose  insolent 
idleness  continually  provoked  his  ire.  'Nor  was  the 
complaint  confined  to  one  side.  "While  Justus  was 
annoyed  at  his  servant's  numerous  shortcomings, 
that  worthy  felt  no  less  harrassed  by  what  he  con- 
sidered his  new  master's  most  unjust  exactions. 
The  ignorance  and  improper  management  of  the 
master  totally  estranged  the  negro,  naturally  in- 
clined to  be  respectful  and  obedient,  while  the  harsh 
and  ill-judged  line  of  policy  employed  to  restore 
him,  excited  only  anger  and  contempt. 

Matters  grew  worse  and  worse,  and  the  crisis  of 
an  open  rupture  was  daily  drawing  near.  At  length 
it  came.  No  remedy  was  left  but  a  severe  castiga- 
tion,  which  was  inflicted  in  the  most  approved 
manner. 

As  he  ceased  to  ply  the  lash,  and  drew  himself 
into  an  erect  posture,  his  ears  were  saluted  by  a 
voice  indignantly  pronouncing  the  words : 

"And,  worst  of  all,  and  most  to  be  deplored, 
As  human  nature's  broadest,  foulest  blot ; 
Chains  him,  and  tasks  him,  and  exacts  his  sweat, 
With  stripes  that  mercy,  with  a  bleeding  heart, 
Weeps  when  she  sees  inflicted  on  a  beast." 

Justus  turned  to  observe  the  intruder,  and  beheld 


324  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

a  genteelly  dressed  stranger,  who,  in  the  same  indig- 
nant tone  continued : 

"  0,  shame  to  man  !  and  will  the  heavens  behold, 
and  not  blast?  Will  the  earth  witness,  and  not 
open  her  jaws  to  engulf  the  perpetrator  of  so  foul 
a  deed?" 

"  Quite  sentimental,  indeed !  And,  I  suppose, 
you  are  ready  to  exclaim, '  I  have  found  it !'  But  suf- 
fer me  to  ask,  "What  horrible  thing  is  it  that  calls 
for  such  an  exclamation  ?  What  deed  of  darkness 
have  you  discovered,  that  so  shocks  your  humanity, 
and  calls  for  such  summary  vengeance?" 

"  Is  it  possible  you  can  ask !  The  infamous  act 
you  have  just  been  committing  alone  called  forth 
my  indignation.  To  think  man  should  so  oppress 
his  fellow !" 

"I  presume  you  are  now  touching  upon  matters 
of  which  you  are  entirely  ignorant ;  else  you  could 
not  be  so  much  concerned  at  the  simple  act  of  pun- 
ishing a  refractory  slave.  Knowing  something  of 
the  inexperience  which  gives  existence  to,  and  sus- 
tains your  intense  feeling,  I  can  excuse  and  over- 
look its  present  exhibition,  having  been,  at  one 
period  of  my  life,  no  better  informed  than  yourself; 
but  in  other  localities,  suffer  me  to  inform  you,  it 
will  not  be  so  readily  pardoned.  If  you  desire  your 
sojourn  among  us,  whether  long  or  short,  to  be  a 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  325 

pleasant  one,  you  would  do  well  neither  to  see  nor 
hear  many  things  passing  around  you ;  for,  if  you 
cannot  better  govern  your  impulses,  it  may  bring 
you  into  trouble.  And  no  greater  a  matter  than 
your  remarks  just  now  might,  in  some  other  place, 
lead  to  your  unceremonious  ejection  from  society, 
if  nothing  more  serious." 

"  "What !  tell  me  a  man  is  not  entitled  to  the  right 
of  uttering  his  sentiments  on  any  subject  he  pleases, 
without  regard  to  time  or  place  ?" 

"  By  no  means !  The  fact  is,  persons  holding 
such  views  as  you  express — which  I  am  free  to 
acknowledge  were  once  mine  also — have,  by  their 
conduct,  rendered  this  quite  an  exciting  subject; 
and  those  who  are  connected  with  slavery  can  ill 
bear  such  comments. " 

"  Yes,  I  am  well  aware  that  men  will  become  ex- 
cited by  any  thing  that  threatens  to  cut  off  their 
gains,  unjust  though  they  may  be.  But  who  that 
is  a  philanthropist  would  desist  from  crying  out 
against  such  an  evil,  because  of  man's  displeasure  ?" 

"  Do  you  know  what  it  is  you  are  '  crying  out 
against  ?'  Have  you  ever  devoted  five  minutes  to  a 
consideration  of  the  system  of  slavery  for  any  other 
purpose  than  to  vituperate  it?  Or  are  you  not 
rather  one — there  are  many  such — that,  without  ex- 
amination, has  formed  an  opinion  that <  fire  could 


326  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

not  burn  out  of  you,'  but  which  a  few  weeks  proper 
observation  would  entirely  do  away?" 

"Bah!  Don't  talk  to  me  of  examining,  where 
the  case  is  so  palpable.  What  but  wilfulness  can 
thus  blind  any  to  the  flagrant  outrages  committed 
in  this  slavery  business !" 

"My  patience  could  not  endure  such  remarks, 
did  not  the  recollection  of  my  own  former  state  of 
feeling  enable  me  to  appreciate  the  spirit  actuating 
you.  Yet  you  seem  more  rabid  than  is  common. 
But  if  your  enthusiasm  is  not  an  idle  emotion,  and 
your  sympathy  entirely  misplaced  under  the  delu- 
sion of  a  name,  why  is  it  that  you  do  not  present 
some  reasons  for  your  opinion  ?' 

"  Reasons  !  Why,  is  not  the  very  name  '  slave*  as 
strong  a  reason  as  could  be  given  ?  And  yet  there 
are  other  things ;  but  time  will  not  now  admit  of  a 
discussion.  It  is  drawing  towards  evening,  and  I 
must  proceed  on  my  way." 

"Accept,  sir,  of  my  hospitality  for  the  night ;  and, 
I  doubt  not,  you  will  learn  to  view  things  in  a  differ- 
ent light.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that,  in  consequence 
of  false  views,  you  should  expose  yourself  to  the 
risk  both  of  doing  and  receiving  harm,  when  a  fair 
statement  of  the  question  is  all  that  is  needed  to 
correct  the  error." 

"I  thankfully  accept  your  kind  offer,  hoping,  at 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K.  327 

the  same  time,  to  be  able  to  call  to  your  mind  mat- 
ters entirely  forgotten,  or  not  sufficiently  dwelt  upon. 
And  you  may  possibly  be  brought  to  see  the  flagrant 
injustice  of  your  present  iniquitous  course." 


328          THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

THE    DISCUSSION. 
"I  also  will  show  mine  opinion." 

JUSTUS  found  his  guest  an  agreeable  and  enter- 
taining companion ;  and,  during  the  early  part  of 
the  evening,  their  conversation  took  an  animated 
and  extensive  range.  After  a  somewhat  longer 
pause  than  usual,  the  stranger  rather  abruptly  re- 
marked : 

"I  presume  you  have  not  read  'Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin,'  Mr.  Justus?" 

"  O  yes !  I  have  not  been  so  unfortunate  as  to 
miss  that  treat.  On  what  did  you  found  the  opin- 
ion?" 

"  I  had  thought  that  no  one  seeing  the  evils  of 
slavery  as  there  portrayed,  would  ever  thereafter 
have  connection  with  it.  But  do  you  not  think  the 
author  has  faithfully  painted  the  thing,  and  fully 
exposed  its  horrors?" 

"  I  once  entertained  such  an  opinion ;  but  inves- 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  329 

tigatiug  for  myself,  and  seeing  with  my  own  eyes, 
liave  dissipated  the  fallacy,  and  led  me  to  the  just 
conclusion  that  it  was  the  mere  expression  of  the 
author's  own  peculiar  views,  very  artfully  performed, 
instead  of  a  correct  delineation  of  the  subject. 
Slavery,  as  conceived  by  the  novelist,  is  well  pic- 
tured ;  but  the  arguments  against  it,  as  it  is  devel- 
oped in  the  plan  of  the  work,  can,  with  equal  force, 
be  urged  against  other  things,  the  propriety  of  which 
is  by  no  one  doubted." 

"  I  did  not  expect  to  sustain  my  position  by  this 
book ;  yet  it  contains  sufficient  to  satisfy  and  con- 
vince any  reasonable  mind.  Has  it  never  occurred 
to  you  that  slavery,  alone  in  the  matter  of  locking 
up  from  use  such  a  mass  of  intellect,  is  of  incalcu- 
lable injury  to  the  world  ?" 

"  If  such  be  the  character  of  your  boasted  argu- 
ments, I  trust  a  laugh  on  my  part  will  not  be  mis- 
construed into  intentional  disrespect ;  for  this  ludi- 
crous idea  would  relax  the  muscles  and  provoke  a 
smile  from  Diogenes  himself.  'Mass  of  intellect,' 
indeed!  IsTo,  sir!  but  it  has  struck  me,  and  that 
quite  forcibly,  that  it  keeps  a  great  mass  of  wretched- 
ness out  of  the  world,  by  giving  employment  to 
the  hands,  and  direction  to  the  minds  of  so  many, 
who,  were  it  otherwise,  would,  by  their  idleness 
and  thriftlessness,  work  nothing  but  mischief  to 


330  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

themselves  and  others.  You  need  not  let  the  dread 
of  consequences  from  the  deprivations  of  which 
you  speak,  in  the  least  annoy  you. 

"Your  author,  George  Harris,  may,  perhaps, 
possess  the  inventive  genius  of  a  Fulton,  but, 
where  there  is  one  of  this  class,  if  ever  found,  how 
many  thousands  are  almost  infinitely  below  the 
standard  of  the  most  common  capacity !  So  that, 
however  desirable  it  might  be  to  give  the  few  the 
position  their  abilities  would  enable  them  to  fill,  the 
benefit  derived  would  bear  no  sensible  comparison 
to  the  greater  evil  resulting  from  assigning  to  the 
vast  rabble  the  equality  you  demand  for  them. 

"  But  allow  me  a  question.  Has  it  never  occurred 
to  you,  that  as  an  abolitionist,  your  profession  and 
practice  are  at  direct  variance?  You  preach  the 
requirements  of  God's  law,  but  constantly  forget,  in 
regard  to  this  very  matter,  both  the  precept  and  ex- 
ample of  Paul,  its  great  expounder." 

"How,  now!  Paul  taught  Christianity,  and  I 
never  before  heard  that  he  had  any  thing  to  say  in 
regard  to  this  subject.  So  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
from  what  source  you  derive  a  knowledge  of  his 
teachings  in  this  regard ;  and  as  to  his  practice,  it 
is  preposterous  to  speak  of  the  apostle's  experience 
in  slavery.  For  he  tells  us  he  was  '  free  born ;'  and 
he  surely  never  owned  a  slave  himself." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  331 

"  Perhaps  you  are  too  fast.  He  does  notice  the 
subject,  and  gives  directions  for  the  conduct  both 
of  masters  and  slaves,  although  he  did  not  himself 
own  a  servant.  Where  lie  says,  '  Slaves,  obey  in  ALL 
THINGS  your  masters,'  you  say,  'Run  away'  on  all 
occasions ;  and  more — to  the  extent  of  your  ability, 
you  aid  them  in  so  doing." 

"  You  surely  do  not  hope  to  blind  any  thinking 
person  by  such  a  quotation  as  that !  I  am  free  to 
grant  that  one  who  hires  himself  as  a  servant,  should 
render  faithful  service.  But  do  not  flatter  yourself 
that  the  apostle,  any  further  than  this,  sanctions 
your  slavery." 

"You  seem  to  forget,  or  possibly  never  knew, 
that  the  word  here  rendered  'servant,'  properly 
means  i  slave,'  and,  strictly  speaking,  one  born  so. 
Yet  let  this  pass.  We  are  taught  in  the  words  of 
the  apostle,  respect  and  obedience  to  established 
rule.  But  how  different  is  this  from  abolition 
prate  !  He  does  not  say,  Ah !  my  dear  friends,  you 
are  grievously  wronged  and  oppressed  beyond 
measure.  Elope !  Go  to  a  free  State !  or,  failing 
in  this,  sell  your  lives  as  dearly  as  possible.  While 
boldly  denouncing  the  evils  of  his  day,  many  of 
them  sanctioned  by  established  usage  and  long  ob- 
servance, is  slavery  included?  Are  those  in  bond- 
age even  remotely  notified  that  they  are  a  wronged 


332  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

and  abused  race  ?  No,  indeed !  But,  substantially., 
he  says  to  this  particular  class,  '  It  is  not  the  design 
of  Christianity  to  effect  a  change  in  your  civil  or 
political  relations,  but  to  give  you  also  the  benefits 
of  the  gospel.  I  therefore  exhort  to  obedience,  you 
whom  God's  providence  has  made  slaves ;  and  this 
not  only  to  those  whose  treatment  is  kind,  but  also 
to  the  arbitrary  and  exacting.  The  ills  connected 
with  your  lot  exist  under  different  forms  in  every 
department  of  life,  and,  while  fidelity  to  God  re- 
quires from  each  an  honest  performance  of  the  du- 
ties of  his  station,  obedience  to  your  masters,  from 
you  who  are  in  bondage,  is  specially  enjoined.' 

"To  the  masters  he  does  not  preach  abolitionism, 
but,  admitting  the  propriety  of  slavery,  demands, 
on  Divine  authority,  in  behalf  of  the  slave  and  as 
his  right,  humane  and  generous  treatment. 

"Another  apostle,  treating  on  the  same  subject,  in 
his  address  to  slaves,  takes  special  care  to  guard 
them  against  a  bad  state  of  feeling,  even  when 
cruelly  and  wrongfully  punished." 

"You  are  certainly  skilful  thus  to  mingle  mat- 
ters ;  but  what  has  all  this  to  do  with  our  dispute 
in  regard  to  slavery?" 

"It  has  this  to  do.  I  consider  the  Scriptures  a 
very  safe  and  certain  guide  for  all  moral  actions, 
and  as  its  teachings  on  this  subject  emphatically 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  333 

say,  'Slaves,  obey  in  all  things  your  masters/  it  is  an 
inevitable  conclusion,  that  the  institution  and  ob- 
ligation of  slavery  are  thus  recognized  and  sanc- 
tioned by  the  highest  authority.  But,  as  you  seem 
not  to  understand  the  drift  of  my  argument — it  may 
be  owing  to  my  want  of  clearness — I  will  illustrate. 
It  chanced  that  St.  Paul,  once  in  his  travels,  <  took 
up'  a  runaway  slave.  What  was  his  conduct  on 
this  occasion  ?  Did  he  say, '  My  dear,  abused  brother, 
make  off  by  the  underground  railroad :  shove  for 
Canada?'  0,  no!  Remembering  that  slavery  was 
an  institution  of  Divine  appointment,  he  despatched 
the  fugitive  to  his  master  with  a  letter,  in  which  he 
did  not  inform  his  friend  Philemon,  '  You  have  no 
right,  sir,  to  call  this  man  your  property !  he  was 
created  by  his  God  as  free  as  yourself,  and  is  as  much 
deserving  of  freedom.  Therefore,  if  you  have  any 
hope  or  even  desire  to  escape  the  curse  of  Heaven 
in  this  life,  and  endless  torments  hereafter,  liberate 
him  at  once,  and  extend  such  further  aid  as  he  may 
justly  claim  for  the  service  you  have  tyrannously 
exacted  of  him  !'  Far  different  was  the  tenor  of  the 
epistle.  Something  on  this  wise  : 

"'I  send  back  your  slave  Onesimus.  He  has 
acted  badly ;  but  having  reformed,  and,  moreover, 
being  a  convert  to  Christianity,  through  my  min- 
istry, affection  for  him  induces  me  to  plead  that,  for 


334  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

my  sake,  you  will  forget  the  past,  and  receive  him 
with  gentleness.  I  had  a  desire  to  retain  him,  that, 
in  your  behalf,  he  might  render  me  service ;  but 
knowing  him  to  be  yours,  I  could  not  do  so  without 
permission.' 

"  In  imagination  I  can  hear  the  venerable  man  of 
God  remark,  as  the  runaway  stands  entreating  not 
to  be  sent  back  to  his  incensed  master : 

"  i  Yea,  my  son  !  duty  requires  you  to  go ;  I  have 
no  right  to  retain  you.  Brother  Philemon  has  paid 
his  money  for  you,  and  is  entitled  to  your  service. 
It  is  true,  you  have  not  behaved  well,  and  he  may 
be  angry;  yet  return:  I  will  write  to  him  in  your 
behalf,  and  am  satisfied  he  will  listen  to  me.' ' 

"  What  reason  have  you  for  supposing  Onesimus 
to  be  any  thing  more  than  a  hired  servant?" 

"  Simply  the  evidence  contained  in  the  statement. 
Had  he  been  such,  he  could  have  left  when  he 
chose ;  but  the  manner  of  his  departure  showing 
that  his  will  was  not  consulted,  proves  his  bond- 

age." 

For  a  moment,  the  stranger  seemed  at  a  loss  for  a 
reply ;  then  he  said :  "  "Well,  grant  all  that,  and 
what  will  it  prove,  further  than  that  there  were  se- 
rious wrongs  practiced  then,  as  now ;  and  that  St. 
Paul  was  not  a  true  philanthropist?  But  -must  we 
regard  injustice  with  impunity,  because  he,  through 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  835 

an  undue  deference  to  custom  and  bad  laws,  and  in 
ignorance  of  that  nobler  principle,  'the  higher 
law,'  counselled  submission  to  the  former?" 

"  But  who  is  authorized  to  pronounce  that  wrong, 
which  inspiration,  by  prescribing  proper  regulations 
for,  has  fully  sanctioned?" 

"Any  one  is  competent  to  judge  when  a  departure 
from  a  course  of  rectitude  is  made ;  and  in  so  mani- 
fest a  case  of  oppression  as  the  one  referred  to,  the 
knowledge  is  forced  upon  us.  Then,  as  lovers  of 
justice  and  humanity,  how  could  we  do  less  than 
endeavor  to  bring  about  a  change?" 

"  Were  this  the  only,  or  indeed,  the  worst  form 
of  oppression  existing,  there  might  be  some  reason 
in  your  attempt  to  wipe  out  the  evil.  But  why  not 
first  experiment  in  a  field  nearer  home,  and  where 
your  sympathy  and  exertions  are  more  needed?" 

"  You  would  insinuate  there  are  evils  in  the  North 
demanding  redress.  Such,  sir,  there  maybe;  but 
were  they  even  so  deplorable  as  slavery,  true  philan- 
thropists repudiate  the  doctrine  that '  charity  begins 
at  home,'  and  are  ready  to  assist  all  who  need,  in- 
cluding even  those  who  will  not  see  their  wants,  and 
who  revile  us  for  our  good  intention." 

"  Yet  it  might  be  better,  perhaps,  were  you  a  little 
more  selfish.  We  in  the  South,  as  a  general  thing, 
have  a  perverse  way  of  thinking  ourselves  competent 


336  THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

to  manage  our  own  affairs,  without  the  intermeddling 
of  others,  who  seem  so  much  disturbed  at  that  in 
which  their  own  well-being  is  in  no  wise  concerned. 
If  we  choose  to  own  slaves,  we  have  neither  the 
power  nor  the  inclination  to  compel  others  to  pos- 
sess them,  (giving  to  them  the  liberty  of  choice, 
we  demand  for  ourselves  the  same  privilege." 

"  Yet,  as  you  appeal  to  holy  writ,  allow  me  to  re- 
fer you  to  one  of  its  precepts,  which  you  perhaps 
have  overlooked : 

"  'All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should 
do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them.' 

"  Now,  if  you  are  not  willing  to  exchange  places 
with  him  you  hold  as  your  slave,  try  just  for  one 
moment  to  lay  aside  all  bias  in  your  own  favor,  and 
calmly  examine  if  you  are  not  living  in  the  prac- 
tice of  a  gross  wrong — violating  a  positive  command 
of  the  King  of  kings  ?" 

"  I  see  no  necessity  for  a  violation  of  this  rule, 
even  in  owning  slaves.  If  I  treat  him  as  I  would 
be  treated  in  his  condition,  the  law  is  fulfilled." 

"And  this  you  can  only  do  by  liberating  him; 
for  nothing  short  of  this  would  satisfy  you." 

"Were  I  the  originator  of  the  dispensation 
under  which  he  is  placed,  or  were  even  master  of 
the  means  of  changing  the  present  order  of  things, 
your  interpretation  might  be  correct.  But  the  very 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  337 

nature  of  this  case,  as  well  as  of  many  others, 
shows  the  propriety  of  my  construction  of  the  'golden 
rule,'  and,  that  in  its  application,  attendant  circum- 
stances are  to  have  their  due  weight;  otherwise, 
the  regulations  of  society,  that  control  the  masses, 
by  assigning  each  his  proper  position,  would  be  en- 
tirely destroyed." 

"  This  is  an  amendment  we  cannot  allow ;  you 
might  thus  change  the  force  of  any  command.  A 
divine  precept-  must  be  received  without  abate- 
ment or  addition." 

"Follow  out  the  exact  letter,  without  consulting 
reason  or  the  fitness  of  things?" 

"  Most  assuredly !  When  required  to  perform  a 
certain  act,  that  is  the  thing  to  be  done,  and  in 
the  very  manner  ordered,  else  no  command  were 
positive." 

"  Not  at  all !  I  do  not  plead  for  the  discretion 
that  would  change  or  abrogate  Divine  law  ;  but 
can  you  imagine  no  evils  that  might  result  from 
so  literal  an  application  as  you  propose?" 

"Ah,  sir !  we  have  nothing  to  do  with  reason- 
ing or  propriety  in  a  case  of  this  kind ;  all  that  is 
left  for  us  is,  to  decide  how  we  would  be  dealt 
with,  and  act  towards  others  accordingly." 

"  I  have  a  little  narrative  that  will  exactly  illus- 
trate my  position,  and  at  the  same  time  expose  the 


338  THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

absurdity  you  teach.  If  you  have  the  patience  to 
listen,  I  will  relate  it,  as  well  to  entertain  as  to  con- 
vince you." 

"  0,  yes ;  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  it,  and  may,  per- 
haps, by  another,  be  able  to  show  your  inconsist- 
ency." 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  839 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

JUSTUS'S   STORY. 

"All  things  -whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  unto  you, 
do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

"  MR.  APPLEWHITE,  a  gentleman  residing  in  one 
of  the  States  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line,  was 
a  wealthy  farmer,  owning  quite  a  number  of  ne- 
groes, and  was  in  the  words  of  my  authority,  '  one 
of  the  hard  cases.'  He  did  not  keep  his  servants 
for  amusement,  his  prime  object  in  life  being  the 
accumulation  of  property  ;  and  no  one  better  under- 
stood the  means  of  securing  to  himself  the  avails  of 
their  best  performances.  And  yet  he  was  not  a 
cruel  man,  but '  action'  being  his  word,  his  own  feel- 
ings were  made  the  standard  of  his  demands  from 
others.  He  thought  his  duty  towards  them  per- 
formed in  allowing  a  sufficiency  of  all  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  suitable  time  for  rest,  and  refresh- 
ment included.  If  a  <  nigger'  would  do  his  duty,  all 
was  well ;  .but  woe-betide  the  wretch  who  thought 
to  shrink  his  labor,  or  play  off  on  his  master.'  In 


340  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

short,  he  was  a  keen  hand  at  driving  a  bargain  in 
almost  any  line. 

'  It  chanced  upon  a  certain  occasion  that  this 
gentleman  attended  a  meeting  for  religious  purposes, 
where  a  powerful  revival  was  going  on,  and,  during 
its  progress,  he  was  numbered  with  the  converts. 

"As  he  had  been  in  other  things,  so  was  he  in  his 
new  calling.  Entering  into  it  with  his  whole  heart, 
as  a  natural  consequence,  the  change  in  his  outward 
actions  was  quite  visible  and  marked. 

"  From  the  very  incipiency  of  his  resolution  to 
reform,  the  text  you  quote  made  a  deep  impression 
upon  him.  Like  you,  he  received  it  in  a  strictly 
literal  sense,  and,  in  this  connection,  thought  of 
what  he  now  considered  his  former  injustice  to  his 
slaves." 

"  You  seem  to  misapprehend  me.  I  would  not 
be  understood  as  so  far  weakening  the  force  of  this 
scripture  as  your  words  might  imply.  /  accept  the 
precept  as  strictly  literal." 

"  I  comprehend ;  it  was  not  a  misconception,  but 
an  unguarded  manner  of  expression.  Allow  me, 
too,  an  explanation,  which  should  have  been  earlier 
made.  Every  command  must  be  received  with  dis- 
crimination ;  for  there  are  certain  fundamental  laws 
underlying  all  else,  and  to  which  every,  all  such  in- 
junctions must  be  subservient. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  341 

"  Otherwise,  the  king,  led  by  views  such  as  yours, 
must  lay  aside  his  crown,  to  exchange  place  with  some 
aspirant  for  that  honor;  the  wealthy  man  impov- 
erish himself,  and  take  the  position  of  those  less 
fortunate  or  less  industrious ;  while  officers  of  the 
law  would  be  required  to  connive  at  the  escape  of 
all  classes  of  offenders.  But  to  my  story : 

"  So  far  as  his  slaves  were  concerned,  Mr.  Apple- 
white had  been  all  his  life  disregarding  this  pre- 
cept. Placing  himself,  with  his  fitness  to  grapple 
with  the  world,  and  the  enlightenment  to  direct  in 
the  pursuits  of  life,  in  the  position  of  a  slave,  with- 
out either  of  these  elements  of  success,  and  consid- 
ering only  that,  if  in  this  state,  he  would  wish  free- 
dom, he  rashly  determined  to  liberate  them,  forget- 
ting that  their  difference  in  mental  organism,  ca- 
pacity, education,  and  relation  to  society,  presented 
no  proper  basis  of  sympathy  for  such  ill-judged 
mercy. 

"  Their  freedom  alone  was  not  sufficient;  but 
they  must  be  provided  with  the  means  of  starting 
in  business,  as  nothing  less  could  he  wish  in  his 
own  case. 

"  It  was  to  no  purpose  that  '  old  Uncle  Abe'  and 
'  Joshua'  remonstrated  against  this  plan,  and  won- 
dered <  what  in  de  name  o'  goodness  we 's  gwine  to 
do  wid  ourselves  ?'  He  was  not  to  be  turned  from  his 


342  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALEK. 

purpose.  All  were  disposed  of,  with  the  exception 
of  'Aunt  Isbel,'  who,  having  been  the  nurse  of  Mrs. 
A.  in  youthful  days,  declared  she '  would  neber  lebe 
Miss  Sally  in  dis  woii',  nohow.' 

"  The  result  of  this  plan  left  Mr.  Applewhite  a 
poor  man.  It  is  true  his  plantation  and  lands  in 
part  remained ;  but  the  means  of  deriving  his  usual 
income  were  gone.  He  was  not  a  man  to  be  satis- 
fied with  this  phase  of  circumstances ;  and,  as  the 
most  feasible  plan  of  bettering  his  fortune,  resolved 
to  seek  a  home  in  the  inviting  prairies  of  Texas, 
where  his  slender  means  invested  in  stock  promised 
a  return  of  former  prosperity. 

"Aunt  Isbel  had  been  well  satisfied  while  near 
her  children  ;  and,  to  avoid  the  pain  of  a  final  sepa- 
ration, joined  her  request  with  theirs,  that  they  also 
might  be  of  the  migrating  party ;  but  as  free  ne- 
groes were  by  law  excluded  from  the  new  republic, 
the  gentleman  sternly  refused  to  assume  again  the 
ownership  of  his  former  servants,  the  only  means 
whereby  their  wishes  could  be  accommodated. 
Earnest  and  faithful  were  the  efforts  of  the  n egress 
to  change  her  master's  mind  towards  her  children  ; 
but,  inexorable,  he  assured  her  his  conscience  could 
not  consent,  though  assured  that,  in  their  present 
condition,  they  were  fast  becoming  worthless  and 
dissolute. 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  343 

"'A  plague  upon  all  such  charity  as  you  have 
shown !'  spoke  Mrs.  Applewhite,  with  unusual 
warmth.  '  I  believe  your  religion  is  simply  mad- 
ness, for  I  never  before  heard  of  it  depriving  any 
one  so  completely  of  reason.  Your  anxiety  to  con- 
form to  this  perpetually  quoted  rule  might  have  led 
you  to  bestow  a  thought  on  the  welfare  of  those 
who  are  entirely  dependent  upon  you ;  and  yet,  so 
far  as  your  own  family  is  concerned,  you  seem 
totally  indifferent.  You  have  reduced  us  almost  to 
absolute  want.  And  what  is  now  to  become  of  our 
daughters,  who  scarcely  know  the  meaning  of  toil 
or  exertion,  Heaven  only  knows  ! 

"  'And  yet,  I  could  endure  the  reverse,  were  it 
the  result  of  necessity,  or  even  of  any  useful  mea- 
sure. But  what  is  the  end  and  aim  of  so  great  a 
sacrifice  ?  Merely  to  cast  on  the  world  a  set  of  vaga- 
bonds, with  the  likelihood  o£  their  peopling  the 
penitentiary  or  feeding  the  gibbet;  for  you  must 
know  that,  of  all  to  whom  you  have  given  freedom, 
there  is  but  one  or  two  who  are  not  in  a  fourfold 
worse  condition  than  when  under  a  master. 

"  'And  now,  when  a  poor  old  mother  entreats  for 
the  companionship  of  her  children,  and  they  are 
not  the  less  anxious  for  the  measure,  to  whine  out  a 
precept  of  Scripture !  The  father  of  all  hypocri- 


844  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

sies  take  such  religion !  It  is  no  better  than  infi- 
delity.' 

"'Dat's  jis  my  'pinion,  too,'  muttered  Aunt 
Isbell;  'fur  I's  hearn  'em  read  in  cle  Bible  dat  he 
what  do  n't  pr'vicle  for  his  own  household 's  worser 
dan  a  infidel ;  an'  I  b'leve  it  too.' 

a<Ah,  my  dear,'  answered  her  husband,  'do  not 
thus  look  on  the  dark  side  of  the  picture.  Let  the 
slight  sacrifice  of  personal  comfort  we  are  now 
making,  be  considered  as  some  atonement  for  the 
wrong  we  have  so  long  practiced.  Could  you  wish 
less  done  for  you,  had  you  been  in  their  condition  ?' 

"  ' Atonement,  indeed !  "What  wrong  has  any  one 
suffered  by  controlling  and  keeping  in  useful  em- 
ployment those  who,  otherwise,  would  have  only 
been  a  pest  and  nuisance  in  society  ?  And  as  to 
being  in  their  condition  myself,  what  right  have  I 
to  aspire  to  the  station  of  position  and  wealth  occu- 
pied by  others  above  me  ?  Does  not  the  same  Scrip- 
ture about  which  you  preach  also  teach,  "In  what- 
ever state"  we  are,  "therewith  to  be  content?" 

"As  all  remonstrance  was  thrown  away,  Aunt 
Isbel  was  given  to  understand  she  could  only  enjoy 
her  children's  society  by  remaining  with  them.  As 
she  preferred  accompanying  her  mistress,  they  were, 
accordingly,  separated.  As  for  her  offspring  left 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  345 

behind,  the  prediction  of  their  mistress  was  fully 
verified.  Those  of  them  who  did  not  fall  into  the 
possession  of  other  masters,  soon  sank  to  shiftless 
poverty  and  worthlessness." 

"  This  was  because  they  were  not  properly  edu- 
cated," interrupted  the  stranger ;  "  they  should  have 
been  prepared  for  their  new  position  by  previous 
training." 

"  Education  could  not  have  changed  their  cast  or 
capacity,"  replied  Justus.  "  The  error  consisted  in 
marring  the  harmony  of  a  well-regulated  system,  in 
which  the  negro  was  made  to  subserve  the  true 
design  of  nature. 

"Settled  in  Texas,  Mr.  Applewhite  soon  began 
to  realize  his  expectations.  As  yet,  however,  his 
wealth  was  rather  prospective;  but  time  and  the 
increase  of  population  would  soon  develop  the  value 
of  his  possessions. 

"  The  advantages  of  stock-raising  in  the  country 
were  so  numerous,  as  to  make  it  a  matter  of  prime 
importance  for  each  new  settler  to  engage  in  this 
occupation ;  but  as  in  many  cases  this  class  of  per- 
sons had  expended  their  means  in  travelling,  it  was 
found  extremely  difficult  to  obtain  a  start  in  that 
line  of  business.  Mr.  Applewhite  having  extensive 
herds,  and  being  known  as  an  accommodating  and 
kind-hearted  man,  received  many  applications  in 


346  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

emergencies  of  this  kind.  Governed  by  his  lately 
adopted  principles,  he  soon  found  himself  in  a  fair 
way  to  lose,  not  only  the  profits  of  his  business,  but 
the  greater  part  of  his  capital;  for,  though  his 
debtors  i  promised  to  pay,'  his  well-known  leniency 
made  him,  too  often,  the  dupe  of  the  designing  and 
dishonest. 

"In  this  crisis,  the  fears  of  his  more  prudent 
wife  again  became  excited,  and  her  earnest  remon- 
strance aroused  the  concern  of  the  gentleman  him- 
self, who  now  determined  on  a  change  of  policy. 

"  It  was  not  long  after  this  resolve,  that  Mr.  Ap- 
plewhite was  again  called  on  by  an  immigrant,  who 
desired  to  procure,  on  a  long  credit,  a  considerable 
supply  of  stock.  He  was  given  to  understand  that, 
in  consequence  of  losses  by  bad  debts,  and  the 
large  sales  already  effected,  he  had  no  more  cattle 
to  dispose  of.  The  stranger  having  his  cue  in  some 
previous  knowledge  of  the  other's  character,  feeling 
indisposed  to  be  thus  put  off,  continued : 

" '  Suppose  we  could  change  places — you  a  stranger 
without  friends,  in  a  new  country,  reduced  by  the 
dishonesty  of  others  to  poverty,  yet  with  a  fair 
prospect  of  retrieving  your  losses,  could  you  obtain 
the  means  of  beginning  the  stock  business ;  I,  com- 
fortably living  at  home,  with  the  means  of  assisting 
you  without  detriment  to  myself:  would  not  a  re- 


THE     YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALEK.  347 

fusal  indicate  a  want  of  sympathy  for  my  fellow- 
man,  and  a  total  disregard  of  the  command,  "  Do 
as  you  would  be  done  by  ?" 

"I  need  not,"  continued  Justus,  "tell  you  the 
result ;  the  misguided  man  again  found  himself  the 
victim  of  guile,  and  the  stranger  departed,  well 
pleased  with  his  success. 

"As  time  wore  on,  Mr.  Applewhite  saw  his 
neighbor  gradually  increasing  in  prosperity,  while 
he  himself,  from  his  manner  of  doing  business,  was 
still  comparatively  at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder. 
The  collection  of  his  outstanding  debts  would  have 
changed  affairs,  and  released  him  from  pecuniary 
embarrassment  that  was  pressing  him  sore.  Yet 
every  intimation  of  a  forced  settlement  was  met 
with  the  'golden  rule,'  which  effectually  staved  off 
the  application  of  legal  force,  so  necessary  some- 
times in  the  maintenance  of  one's  rights.  Harrassed 
with  heavy  liabilities  hanging  over  him ;  harrassed 
with  accumulating  cares,  with  the  prospect  of  final 
ruin  in  view,  life  proved  a  burden  from  which  he 
would  have  gladly  escaped. 

"About  this  time  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  his 
county,  and  hoped  the  profits  of  the  office  might 
improve  his  finances ;  but  the  prospect,  at  first  so 
flattering,  led  only  to  deeper  trouble. 

"Among  his  various  charges  was  that  of  a  man 


348  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER. 

condemned  to  death  for  aggravated  murder.  Know- 
ing the  character  of  his  keeper,  the  criminal  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  turning  it  to  his  own  account. 
As  a  preliminary  step,  he  feigned  penitence,  as  a 
proper  manner  of  exciting  sympathy.  Finding 
this  display,  together  with  certain  wily  hints  thrown 
out,  entirely  disregarded,  he  came  at  once  to  the 
point.  The  time  for  his  execution  was  near  at 
hand,  and  he  had  just  listened  to  a  more  than 
usually  fervent  exhortation  from  the  sheriff,  who, 
with  good  hopes  of  the  prisoner's  spiritual  condi- 
tion, was  departing.  As  he  reached  the  door,  the 
criminal  said : 

" c  I  trust,  Mr.  Applewhite,  you  are  not  going  to 
abandon  your  principles  at  this  late  day  !' 

" 'I  am  not  aware  of  any  such  intention,'  replied 
the  gentleman,  '  neither  can  I  understand  your  allu- 
sion.' 

" '  It  is  simply  this :  you  have  made  it  a  rule  of 
life  to  do  to  others  as  you  would  they  should  do  to 
you.  Do  you  intend  to  keep  me  ironed  down  here, 
to  be  hung  like  a  dog,  when  you  would  be  glad  to 
escape  such  a  fate  ?' 

"For  a  moment  the  sheriff  was  quite  bewildered, 
but,  speedily  recovering  himself,  replied : 

"  '  Such  language  is  idle  and  silly ;  I  cannot  thuP 
have  my  honesty  called  in  question.     In  a  personal 


THE     YANKEE     SLAVE- DEALER.  349 

matter  between  us,  I  might  extend  mercy  to  the 
utmost,  but  in  this  case,  I  am  but  an  officer  of  the 
law,  and  must  fulfill  its  requirements.' 

" 4  It  was  not  my  design  to  trespass  on  your  feel- 
ings, much  less  to  offer  insult.  Thinking  you 
would  admit  the  propriety  of  receiving  a  Divine 
precept  in  the  express  terms  laid  down,  without 
weakening  its  force  by  reasoning  on  it,  I  appealed 
to  you  on  the  broad  principles  of  the  "  golden  rule." 
If  you  would  wish  to  escape  from  my  position,  is  it 
not  your  religious  duty  to  aid  me?  What  your 
office  requires,  must  not  come  into  the  account,  for 
the  gospel  does  not  allow  any  thing  to  sanction  a 
wrong,  and  the  application  of  the  rule  in  question 
proves  this  thing  must  be  wrong.  "Will  you,  then, 
grant  me  that  aid  which  in  my  circumstances  you 
would  desire?' 

"In  this  dilemma  the  sheriff  found  himself  com- 
pelled for  the  first  time  to  reason,  instead  of  yield- 
ing blind  obedience  to  a  hitherto  undisputed  law ; 
and,  though  sensibly  moved  by  the  sophistry  of  the 
prisoner,  his  better  judgment  detected  its  fallacy. 
With  some  sternness,  he  replied : 

"  <  You  are  an  offender  against  both  Divine  and 
human  law,  and  to  allow  you  to  escape  would  be  a 
public  evil.  Your  efforts  are  but  loss  of  time: 
apart  from  other  obligations,  my  bond,  as  well  as 


350  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

oath  of  office,  would  not  suffer  me  to  connive  at 
your  escape.  I  entreat  you,  then,  lay  aside  all 
worldly  hope,  and  prepare  for  death.' 

"The  prisoner  expressed  himself  as  much  con- 
cerned on  this  point,  and  extremely  desirous  of 
making  proper  spiritual  preparation  for  his  change ; 
and,  at  his  urgent  request,  was  allowed  for  this  pur- 
pose more  freedom  of  his  cell. 

"  The  day  of  execution  came,  but  no  criminal  ap- 
peared. Taking  advantage  of  the  sheriff's  kind- 
ness, and  disregarding  his  own  solemn  pledge  of 
good  conduct,  he  had  contrived  to  escape. 

"  Suspicions  of  corruption  on  the  part  of  the  sheriff 
were  entertained,  and  he  was  subjected  to  legal  pro- 
ceedings. The  cost  of  his  defence  swept  away  the 
greater  part  of  his  remaining  property,  and,  though 
acquitted,  many  of  his  former  associates  believed 
him  guilty. 

"  For  several  years  he  labored  under  this  additional 
burden,  when  happily  the  murderer  was  again  ar- 
rested, and,  before  his  execution,  vindicated  the 
character  of  Mr.  Applewhite  by  a  faithful  state- 
ment of  what  had  occurred." 

Here  Justus  paused,  remarking,  "My  narrative 
here  ends,  without  relating  further  of  this  gentle- 
man's history." 

"Which  I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  supply," 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  351 

said  the  stranger.  "Retrieving  his  character,  he 
remained  the  same  honorable  and  religious  man; 
but  his  mind  underwent  a  great  change  in  relation 
to  the  rule  of  his  past  life.  At  first,  he  was  in- 
clined to  think  it  a  mistranslation,  but  his  scholar- 
ship not  entitling  him  to  decide  that  point,  he  was 
quite  bewildered.  At  length,  as  men  are  apt  to  do, 
he  exchanged  one  extreme  for  another,  and  settled 
down  in  the  opinion,  that  if  the  words  were  pro- 
perly rendered  into  English,  they  were  intended 
only  for  the  apostles  and  other  holy  men,  who  had 
but  little  intercourse  with  the  world. 

"  Thus  privileged  by  his  own  interpretation,  he 
set  himself  diligently  to  the  task  of  recovering  his 
own.  Suits  were  instituted  against  his  debtors, 
and  no  motive  restrained  him  in  pushing  his  claims 
to  the  utmost  limit  of  legal  exaction.  His  friends 
say  that  he  is  the  reverse  of  his  former  self,  and  if 
in  the  way  of  securing  his  rights,  he  wrould  not 
hesitate  a  moment  to  deprive  widows  and  orphans 
of  a  shelter.  '  Right  wrongs  no  one,'  is  now  his 
hobby. 

"  But  /have  a  short  story  to  relate,  for  the  truth 
of  every  word  of  which  I  am  ready  to  vouch." 

Justus's  manner  indicated  his  surprise  at  the 
change  affairs  had  taken,  without  noticing  which, 
however,  the  stranger  continued  : 


352  THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  K. 

"  It  chanced  on  a  certain  occasion  that  a  young 
gentleman  on  board  a  New  Orleans  bound  steamer, 
belonging  to  the  class  known  as  abolitionists,  was 
expatiating,  as  only  such  characters  can  descant,  on 
the  horrors  his  excited  imagination  connected  with 
slavery. 

"A  young  fellow  from  the  South,  who  was  pre- 
sent, ventured,  at  the  risk  of  annihilation,  to  address 
the  abolitionist  during  his  rhapsody,  and  warn  him 
against  the  danger  of  becoming  himself  a  vile  slave- 
owner. The  manner  of  the  philanthropist  might 
entertain  you,  could  I  imitate  it,  as,  with  a  lordly  air 
and  withering  scorn,  he  scouted  the  foul  insinua- 
tion ;  the  remotest  proximity  to  which  he  considered 
a  degradation  too  infamous  to  contemplate. 

"For  years  the  paths  of  the  abolitionist  and 
Southerner  were  divergent.  But,  at  length,  on  a 
bright  summer's  afternoon,  as  the  latter  was  travel- 
ling near  a  farm-house,  a  disturbance  in  an  adjoining 
enclosure  attracted  his  attention.  Judge  of  his  sur- 
prise, when  he  found  he  had  lived  to  see  that  same 
dignified,  honorable  abolitionist,  engaged  in  the 
cruel  task  of  mercilessly  beating  his  own  negro 
slave  !" 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  feelings  of 
Justus,  as  his  former  companion  thus  finished  his 
story ;  mortification  and  anger  for  awhile  predomi- 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  353 

nated,  as  the  Southerner  with  easy  familiarity  threw 
himself  back,  and  gave  way  to  a  hearty  laugh. 

The  first  impulse  of  Justus  was  to  eject  his  guest 
without  ceremony,  but,  remembering  the  sacred  de- 
mands of  hospitality,  he  speedily  recovered  himself, 
and,  imitating  the  manner  of  the  other,  joined  in  his 
merriment. 

"  Your  prediction  has  been  verified,"  said  Justus, 
when  quiet  was  restored ;  "  but  I  presume  at  the 
time  you  meant  nothing  by  it,  having  no  reason  for 
such  a  belief." 

"A  better  reason,  perhaps,  than  you  think.  I  had 
seen  too  many  with  similar  views  become  owners  of 
slaves,  to  place  much  reliance  on  your  protestations, 
and  my  observation  further  taught  me  such  were 
not  always  the  most  merciful  masters." 

Justus  slightly  winced  at  this,  but  made  no  reply. 

At  length,  the  Southerner  smilingly  continued : 
"  I  had  no  idea  I  could  play  the  abolitionist  so  well ! 
No  wonder  though;  I  have  just  returned  from  a 
visit  to  ray  relatives  in  lN~ew  England,  where  they 
preached  this  stuff  to  me  almost  incessantly.  Par- 
son Freelove,  Uncle  Hope,  Aunt  Charity,  Cousin 
Faith,  and  all,  so  that  I  am  now  myself  pretty  well 
qualified  for  an  abolition  lecturer." 

12 


354  THE    YANKEE    SLAVE- DEALER. 


CHAPTEE  XXVIII. 

CONCLUSION. 

"  The  torch  shall  be  extinguished  which  hath  lit 
My  midnight  lamp — and  what  is  writ,  is  writ." 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  suspicious  circumstances 
under  which  Sambo  was  found,  he  made  a  favorable 
impression  on  Southerner,  who  at  once  conceived 
the  idea  of  negotiating  for  his  purchase.  Accord- 
ingly, on  the  following  morning  "a  trade"  was  pro- 
posed, which,  after  some  chaffering,  was  duly 
effected,  Justus  receiving  for  his  bondman  two  ne- 
groes of  less  value. 

A  year  or  more  had  transpired  since  the  date  of 
the  last  transaction,  when  a  traveller,  driving  a  small 
two-horse  wagon,  entered  a  thriving  village  in  one 
of  the  western  counties  of  the  State.  There  was 
nothing  particular  in  the  stranger's  appearance 
worthy  of  observation,  neither  did  he  excite  atten- 
tion, save  from  a  group  of  loungers,  idly  engaged  in 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  355 

low  witticisms  and  vulgar  jests.  Belonging  to  a  class 
that  infest  our  towns  and  cities,  witli  no  business  of 
their  own,  these  worthies  found  the  more  time  to 
bestow  on  that  of  others.  Known  as  loafers,  and  in 
most  cases  without  visible  means  of  support,  they 
depended  chiefly  for  this  purpose  on  the  dexterous 
dealing  of  spotted  pasteboard. 

The  appearance  of  the  traveller's  equipage  indi- 
cated a  fatiguing  travel  over  muddy  roads.  As 
the  jaded  horses  slowly  passed  the  street,  the  re- 
marks their  appearance  called  forth  from  the  loafers 
were  not  designed  for  the  exclusive  hearing  of  their 
own  circle. 

"  Don't  he  cut  &figger  !  How  much  furder  do  you 
think  his  hosses  will  be  able  to  drag  that  old  v'icle, 
Bill?" 

"That's  mighty  hard  to  tell,  Bob,  shore;  they 
look  like  they  might  just  a  come  from  Californy, 
and  the  old  wagin  seems  as  near  give  out  as  them." 

"Poor  fellow!"  responded  Bill;  "Jordan  am  a 
hard  road  to  travel !" 

The  wagon  was  brought  to  a  stand  in  front  of  the 
only  hotel  in  the  place,  but,  to  the  annoyance  of  the 
driver,  this  was  found  already  crowded. 

"I  exceedingly  regret  it,  sir,"  said  the  polite  host; 
"  but  I  fear  I  have  already  taken  more  company  than 
I  can  render  comfortable.  However,  I  am  satisfied 


356  THE    YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E. 

you  will  lose  nothing  by  it ;  for  if  you  will  but  drive 
down  the  street  to  yon  new-looking  house,  with  the 
shade-trees  in  the  yard,  though  a  private  residence, 
you  will  meet  with  hospitable  entertainment." 

"It's  jog  on,  old  fellow,  is  it?"  he  heard  from 
Bill,  as  he  again  put  his  horses  in  motion.  "  Mine 
host  does  'nt  like  his  appearance ;  you  ought  to  have 
asked  for  the  hay-loft,  old  codger !  !Nb  doubt  it 
would  have  suited  you." 

Disregarding  this  incivility,  the  traveller  soon 
found  himself  at  the  designated  dwelling,  where, 
having  made  known  his  situation,  he  was  cordially 
welcomed. 

Being  thus  accommodated,  he  was  disposed  to  re- 
joice at  the  fate  which  had  driven  him  from  the 
tavern ;  the  quiet  beauty  and  comfort  of  his  situa- 
tion more  than  compensating  for  the  former  disap- 
pointment. 

A  graceful  air  pervaded  the  house  and  its  sur- 
roundings, indicating  the  presence  of  a  cultivated 
taste  in  their  well-planned  arrangements.  On  a 
gentle  eminence  in  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  it 
commanded,  from  its  cool  and  vine-embowered  por- 
tico, a  delightful  prospect. 

"You  will  please  excuse  me  for  a  short  time," 
remarked  his  host,  "  as  necessary  business  demands 
my  attention.  Here  are  books  and  papers,  with 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  357 

which  you  can  beguile  the  time."  But  the  traveller 
found  occupation  in  other  objects  of  interest,  for 
the  scenes  around  him  awoke,  somehow,  strange 
associations,  that  sensibly  affected  him. 

"I  presume  you  have  had  a  fatiguing  day's  drive, 
sir?  you  seem  quite  weary,"  aroused  him  from  his 
revery,  and  notified  him  of  his  host's  return,  who 
had,  unperceived,  entered  the  room. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  the  roads  are  very  heavy,  and  I  have 
made  a  long  drive." 

The  gentleman  endeavored  to  draw  his  guest  into 
conversation ;  but,  finding  him  inclined  to  taciturn- 
ity, there  was  a  mutual  silence. 

"  I  believe  there  is  to  be  a  sale  of  some  *  niggers' 
in  your  town  to-morrow,  is  there  not?"  at  length 
abruptly  asked  the  traveller. 

"Yes,  sir;  there  is  to  be  an  administrator's  sale, 
and,  I  believe,  among  other  things,  there  are  some 
negroes  to  be  disposed  of.  They  will  go  high,  too, 
as  there  will  be  much  competition  for  them." 

By  degrees,  a  pleasant  conversation  sprang  up, 
which  was  interrupted  by  the  summons  of  the 
supper-bell.  Before  this,  the  new-comer  had  fancied 
his  host's  a  familiar  face,  though  unable  to  identify 
it  as  that  of  a  former  acquaintance.  At  the  table, 
his  notice  was  still  more  strikingly  arrested  by  a 
member  of  the  household,  hitherto  unobserved. 


358  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

This  was  a  child  of  some  three  years  of  age,  whose 
features,  even  more  strikingly  than  those  of  the 
other,  prompted  a  recognition.  But  he  could  come 
to  no  more  satisfactory  conclusion  than  that  he  bore 
a  striking  resemblance  to  some  one  with  whom  he 
had  been  familiar.  As  he  gazed  in  his  eyes,  he 
traced  back  the  pages  of  memory  for  some  record 
by  which  he  could  locate  those  who  were  now  so 
strangely  interesting  him.  The  voice  of  his  host, 
invoking  a  blessing  on  their  repast,  recalled  him. 

He  now  noticed  the  absence  of  the  mistress  of 
the  dwelling,  a  servant  in  her  stead  doing  the  honors 
of  the  table.  From  his  first  arrival,  he  had  felt  a 
strange  desire  to  see  the  lady  whose  tastefully  ar- 
ranged establishment,  indicating  the  presence  and 
skill  of  one  of  no  ordinary  capacity,  had  singularly 
impressed  him  with  a  vague  and  undefined  remem- 
brance. 

"  Carol's  mother,  while  visiting  the  sick,  has  left 
him  in  my  charge  this  evening,"  remarked  the  gen- 
tleman, as  the  child  was  seated  by  a  servant  near 
his  father,  "and  I  find  him  a  little  troublesome. 
He  is  our  only  child,  and  is  very  much  of  a  pet." 

"What  did  you  call  him?"  inquired  the  other. 

"  I  called  him  Carol.  His  name  is  George  Caro- 
lus — rather  an  unusual  one ;  but  it  was  my  wife's 

3 

fancy." 


THE     YANKEE     S  L  A  V  E-D  E  A  L  E  E.  359 

The  stranger,  still  complaining  of  fatigue,  was 
early  shown  his  room,  where,  in  refreshing  slumber, 
the  events  of  the  day  were  soon  forgotten. 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  the  traveller  was 
invited  by  his  host  to  join  the  family  in  their  usual 
devotions.  The  servants  were  already  orderly  seated 
in  the  room,  on  entering  which,  he,  for  the  first 
time,  obtained  a  view  of  his  hostess,  who,  suddenly 
rising,  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  ex- 
tended a  cordial  greeting  to  Mr.  Justus,  while 
that  gentleman,  with  equal  astonishment,  ejacu- 
lated : 

"  Eosalind !     Is  it  possible  !" 

"Mr.  Burns,"  exclaimed  the  lady,  turning  to  her 
husband,  "allow  me  to  introduce  my  particular 
friend,  and  tutor  of  former  days,  Mr.  Justus.  But 
I  am  surprised  you  have  not  sooner  recognized  each 
other." 

"I  see  it  now,"  remarked  Mr.  Burns,  after  warmly 
greeting  his  new-found  friend ;  "  your  face,  from  the 
first,  looked  familiar;  but  I  believe  I  would  not 
have  identified  you." 

Justus  now  recognized  the  gentleman  as  a  min- 
ister he  had  formerly  seen  at  Mr.  Holmes' s  occasion- 
ally, and  who  officiated  at  "  Sue's"  wedding. 

Notwithstanding  his  cordial  welcome,  and  the 
evident  pleasure  his  visit  gave  his  friends,  the  guest 


360  THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

felt  ill  at  ease.  The  lady  witnessed  something 
of  this,  and  was  unremitting  in  her  kind  atten- 
tion. 

"Here  is  your  namesake,  Mr.  Justus,"  she  re- 
marked, patting  the  curly  head  of  little  Carolus. 
"  Is  he  not  a  handsome  child  ?" 

"A  noble-looking  fellow,  indeed !  It  was  his  re- 
semblance to  yourself  that  first  excited  my  interest, 
though,  at  the  time,  I  could  not  satisfy  myself  whose 
features  were  reproduced  in  his." 

By  degrees,  the-  conversation  became  very  inte- 
resting ;  and,  as  much  of  the  past  had  to  be  talked 
over,  the  gentleman  took  no  note  of  time.  As  the 
clock  told  the  hour  of  ten,  he  suddenly  rose,  and, 
looking  at  his  watch,  remarked : 

"Agreeable  society  has  caused  me  to  overlook 
important  business,  and  I  regret  that  it  becomes 
necessary  to  take  my  leave." 

"Not  so  soon?  We  had  hoped  you  would  find 
it  convenient  to  remain  some  days  with  us." 

"  It  is  necessary  for  me  to  return  immediately.  I 
will  stop  a  few  moments  at  the  sale  in  town ;  then  at 
once  proceed  on  my  way." 

Mr.  Burns  here  interfered ;  when,  after  arranging 
that  Justus  should  remain  until  the  following  day, 
the  gentlemen  walked  out  to  the  place  of  sale. 

They  found  business  already  in  progress,  a  man, 


THE    YANKEE    SLAVE-DEALER.  361 

with  his  wife  and  fpur  small  ^children,  being  put  up 
together. 

"  Can't  you  sell  them  separately:?"  asked  a  voice 
from  the  crowd. 

"  No ;  they  are  to  g&  together. ' '     ' 

"You'll  lose  heavily *Bn  them,  then;  for  I 
wouldn't  give  as  much  for  the  lot,  and  have  them 
little  niggers  to  raise,  as  for  the  boy  alone." 

"  Can't  help  that,  gantle^men.     Who  bids  ?" 

"Five  hundred  dollafs^'^ said  an  eager-looking 
individual,  nervously  looking,  around,  as  if  think- 
ing, by  precedence,  to  escape  competition. 

"Six  hundred !"  said  Justus.  >: 

"  Why,  the  cussed  fool^!'  muttered  the  first  bid- 
der; "ten  dollars  over  my  pile  could  a  got  'em;" 

"Not  exactly,"  remarked  another.  "  Seven  hun- 
dred !"  and  the  bidding  still  went  on. 

"  Look  here,  Bill !"  said  a  seedy-looking  charac- 
ter to  the  one  addressed,  "Ain't  that  chap  biddin' 
so  lively  the  one  that  druv'  in  town  so  grandly  yes- 
terday?" 

"Yes,  I'll  be  hanged  if  it  ain't  the  same  fellow ! 
I  reckon  we  mistook  our  man.  We  -must  keep  an 
eye  on  him ;  he  may  be  of  our  sort,  and,  if  we  can 
only  get  him  in  Fuller's  back  room,  we  '11  be  mighty 
apt  to  get  our  share  of  the  funds  he 's  so  anxious  to 
get  rid  of,  if  he's  not  biddin'  only  for  a  show." 


362          THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

"  Yes ;  or  if  we  can  only  git  him  to  the  bar  in 
the  front  room,  we'll  git  the  good  of  a  little  of  it." 

"Gone!"  cried  the  auctioneer.  "Who's  the 
purchaser?" 

"Justus,"  answered  that  individual,  advancing, 
pocket-book  in  hand. 

"  He 's  a  heap  better  fellow,  after  all,  than  we  took 
him  to  be,  IsTed,"  remarked  the  worthy  formerly 
addressed  as  "Bill." 

"Yes ;  he's  a  trump,  certain !" 

"  I  would  remark  before  the  selling  is  resumed," 
continued  Justus,  "  that  if  the  gentleman  who  was 
disposed  to  pay  so  much  for  this  boy,  is  still  of  the 
same  mind,  he  can  have  him  for  half  of  what  the 
lot  cost." 

"Here's  your  man,  and  here's  your  money,  too; 
just  make  me  out  a  bill  of  sale  and  take  it,"  said  a 
coarse,  rough-looking  person,  presenting  himself. 

"O,  mastah!"  implored  the  woman,  "don't  sell 
'im ;  or  if  you  does,  sell  me,  too — sell  all  on  us. 
But  he's  a  good  sahvant,  mastah,  an'  ef  you'll  jis 
keep  us  together,  you'll  neber  be  sorry  'bout  it." 
And  she  continued  to  entreat  most  piteously,  while 
Justus  proceeded  to  draw  up  the  writings;  the 
other  party,  in  the  meanwhile,  counting  out  his 
money. 

The  woman's  appeal  being  ineffectual,  as  a  last 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  363 

resort,  the  negro  himself  piteously  entreated  not  to 
be  separated ;  but,  finding  his  petition  powerless, 
he  turned  to  the  intended  purchaser,  and  in  moving 
tones  remonstrated  against  the  act,  imploring  the 
mercy  of  being  allowed  to  remain  with  his  wife, 
whatever  else  befell. 

Here  several  of  the  bystanders  interfered,  and 
pleaded  in  behalf  of  the  slave. 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Justus,  quite  coolly,  "it  does 
not  suit  my  convenience,  nor  harmonize  with  my 
plans,  to  keep  this  boy ;  I  bought  him  for  the  pur- 
pose of  speculation,  and  one  time  to  sell  a  nigger 
suits  me  as  well  as  another,  provided  the  price  be 
good.  It  would  soon  be  out  of  my  power  to  buy  a 
nigger,  were  I  controlled  by  the  little  whims  of  each 
one  obtained.  But  if  the  humanity  of  any  one 
present  will  lead  him  to  pay  three  hundred  dollars 
over  their  cost  to  me,  he  can  have  the  pleasure  of 
keeping  the  family  together." 

"Well!"  observed  one  of  the  remonstrants,  "I 
have  only  this  to  say :  the  person  who,  under  the 
circumstances,  would  sell  that  man  from  his  wife, 
is  simply  a  brute,  and  the  purchaser  no  better." 

"That's  just  my  conclusion,"  said  the  harsh- 
looking  man,  thrusting  back  his  pocket-book ;  "  and 
if  he  still  wishes  to  sell  him,  he  must  seek  some 
one  else  to  buy." 


364          THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

Justus  turned  on  him  a  contemptuous  glance,  and 
would  have  replied,  but  at  that  instant,  a  gentle- 
man exclaimed : 

"  I  will  accept  the  stranger's  benevolent  offer,  and 
he  may  have  the  pleasure  of  making  three  hundred 
dollars  by  his  first  deal." 

Quite  a  number  of  slaves  were  disposed  of, 
Justus  becoming  the  purchaser  of  the  larger  portion, 
for  which  the  figures  ranged  quite  high;  his  un- 
feeling conduct,  and  bold  avowal  of  being  a  regular 
dealer,  exciting  much  prejudice  and  competition. 

The  evening  found  Justus  around  the  quiet  board 
of  his  friends,  the  Burnses,  who,  if  they  had  any 
unpleasant  reflections  on  his  extreme  and  dis- 
creditable change  of  principles,  kindly  withheld 
their  expression. 

Pleased  with  the  result  of  his  day's  operation, 
the  complacent  slave-dealer  was  in  an  unusual  flow 
of  spirits,  and,  by  his  animated  conversation,  gave 
a  zest  to  the  mutual  enjoyment. 

Rosalind  had  never  appeared  so  lovely.  He  had, 
indeed,  known  her  gentle  and  amiable,  but  had 
never  before  formed  a  proper  estimate  of  her  char- 
acter. He  could  not  repress  a  pang  of  regret  at 
the  fatal  misstep  by  which  he  had  for  ever  lost  a 
prize  BO  desirable.  And  yet,  it  could  not  be  said 
that  his  matrimonial  connection  was  unhappy. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  365 

Possessing  the  affection  and  confidence  of  a  de- 
voted wife,  though  wanting  to  some  extent  in  the 
congeniality  and  delicacy  found  to  exist  in  Rosa- 
lind, on  the  whole  he  had  not  been  disposed  to  re- 
pine at  his  lot.  But  this  unexpected  meeting  call- 
ing up  the  contrast  so  vividly,  revived  his  old  pas- 
sion with  perhaps  more  than  its  former  intensity, 
threatening  to  impair,  if  not  altogether  destroy,  his 
subsequent  happiness. 

The  class  of  feelings  thus  inspired,  gradually 
changed  the  lively  manner  of  Justus,  until,  ere  the 
evening  had  far  advanced,  he  became  quite  reserved 
and  dejected. 

This  was  in  no  wise  lessened  by  a  narrative  of 
his  host,  given  as  an  item  of  news  recently  trans- 
pired. 

"A  gentleman  in  one  of  the  lower  counties  had 
occasion,  some  years  since,  to  visit  New  York, 
taking  with  him  one  of  his  servants.  "While  there, 
the  boy  was  stolen  by  a  mob,  but  subsequently 
made  his  way  back  to  Texas.  This,  as  you  may 
suppose,  was  an  unexpected  event,  especially  to 
his  wife,  who,  thinking  him  as  one  dead  to  her, 
had  married  during  his  absence.  In  view  of  this 
fact,  and  the  probable  trouble  to  which  it  might 
lead,  his  master  was  unwilling  to  receive  him  on 
the  place  again,  though  previously  a  favorite ;  and 


366  THE     YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER. 

he  was  accordingly  sold.  This  seemed  to  have  an 
injurious  effect  on  the  negro's  mind:  he  became 
dull  and  listless,  and  could  never,  except  momen- 
tarily, be  aroused  from  a  kind  of  stupor.  He  was 
a  faithful  servant,  obedient  and  industrious,  but  it 
seemed  mechanical,  and  fears  of  insanity  were  en- 
tertained. 

"At  length,  after  being  missed  from  his  place,  he 
suddenly  entered  the  cabin,  once  his  former  home, 
haggard,  and  in  a  state  of  mental  derangement. 
The  sight  of  his  wife  seemed  for  a  moment  to  re- 
call his  wandering  reason.  The  woman,  hearing 
her  name  pronounced  in  familiar  tones,  turned  to 
observe ;  when,  beholding  the  apparition,  with  a 
wild  scream  she  sank  insensible.  Seizing  a  -child 
she  had  held  in  her  arms,  with  all  the  frenzy  of  mad- 
ness, he  exclaimed,  'This  is  one  of  the  whelps,'  and 
ended  its  existence  by  horribly  mangling  its  throat 
with  a  knife.  Attracted  by  its  shrieks,  the  master 
now  arrived,  and  the  maniac  was  secured. 

"  The  unfortunate  woman  awoke  to  consciousness 
to  hear  the  most  awful  imprecations  on  her  faith- 
lessness ;  and,  in  the  terror  excited,  imagined  her- 
self guilty  to  the  full  extent  charged. 

"  The  ravings  of  the  madman  were  of  short  con- 
tinuance. His  mental  tortures  had  consumed  his 
vital  powers,  and  death  kindly  ended  his  sufferings. 


THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.  367 

His  wife  did  not  long  survive :  the  shock  was  too 
severe,  and  her  reason  was  shaken.  She  died  be- 
moaning her  ingratitude  to  a  kind  and  faithful  hus- 
band. 

"  Such,"  continued  Mr.  Burns,  "is  the  account  I 
had  from  a  neighbor,  recently  returned  from  that 
section;  and  though  a  shocking  affair,  it  may 
nevertheless  be  true." 

"A  sad  story,  indeed !"  replied  Justus,  whose  ex- 
citement during  its  recital  was  quite  apparent ;  and 
though  his  friend  was  deceived  as  to  its  cause,  it 
awakened  in  the  other  a  train  of  unpleasant  and 
bitter  reflection  his  blunted  and  hardened  sensi- 
bilities could  not  stifle. 

In  a  painfully  disturbed  state  of  mind  he  sought 
his  couch,  but  weary  hours  passed  before  slumber 
visited  him.  Even  then,  his  sleep  was  disturbed  by 
frightful  dreams,  and  the  night  passed  in  fearful 
agony. 

First,  he  was  in  Boston — in  Faneuil  Hall,  with 
"Mr.  Clay"  by  his  side;  then  he  found  the  muti- 
lated negro  beside  the  lifeless  body  of  his  slaughtered 
foe.  Once  more,  he  was  on  the  point  of  conveying 
to  his  desired  servitude  and  home  "Mr.  Clay,"  now 
degraded  again  to  simple  Henry. 

Again  the  scene  changed:  he  had  just. returned 
from  a  successful  and  profitable  tour  of  trading,  and 


368          THE    YANKEE     SLAVE-DEALER.      , 

was  occupying  his  couch  at  home.  Suddenly  the 
chamber-door  flew  open,  and  a  huge  dark  figure  en- 
tered, wildly  advancing  towards  him,  bearing  a  large 
and  bloody  knife  ;  struggling  to  escape,  with  a  yell 
of  horror  he  awoke. 

Drowsiness  again  stealing  over  him,  soon  a  hag- 
gard woman  entered  the  chamber,  and  took  her 
silent  stand  directly  in  front  of  his  bed.  Her  pierc- 
ing eyes  were  fixed  steadfastly  on  him,  depriving 
him  alike  of  the  power  of  motion  or  of  utterance. 
In  her  arms  she  held  an  infant,  from  a  gash  in  whose 
throat  blood  was  freely  flowing.  Silently  a  grim- 
looking  man  approached,  and,  taking  the  child, 
pointed  to  its  bleeding  wound,  and  laid  it  beside  the 
terrified  dreamer,  who,  with  a  more  fearful  cry 
than  before,  sprang  to  the  floor. 

His  host,  much  concerned  at  his  repeated  alarms, 
now  appearing  with  a  light,  Justus's  mortification 
was  complete.  "With  many  an  apology  for  allowing 
himself  to  be  disturbed  by  an  idle  dream,  he  re- 
luctantly resumed  his  couch. 

With  joy  the  returning  daylight  was  hailed,  and 
at  an  early  hour  Justus  took  his  leave,  hastening  to 
complete  his  annual  round  of  slave-dealing. 


THE    END. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
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DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
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APR    5   J94C 

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„-  tc&M| 

VQctoo*1 
R£ZC*'f^ 

• 

•^*-V~  LJ    : 

51  '  —  .  5s 

APR    3  1981  •, 

W 

APR  a  2  1981 

lO-tClR.    HAY  12  1981 

SEP  2  71390 

*"-'    *>  I    I99U 

AOTO  WSC 

in 

SEP  28  1995 

LD  21-100m-12,  '43  (8796s) 

U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


861339 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


